Philippines iGaming Sees Player Base Slowdown

Online gambling transactions in the Philippines may have declined by as much as 50%, according to Alejandro Tengco, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The decline follows a directive from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) requiring e-wallet providers to stop linking their apps directly to online gaming sites.

The order, issued during a Senate committee hearing on 14 August, gave e-wallet companies a 48-hour window to comply. The brief timeframe sparked controversy, with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano questioning why unlinking could not be implemented immediately. Despite the debate, Tengco said the measure has had a significant impact. “From Sunday to yesterday, online gaming transactions fell by perhaps 50%,” he reported during a PAGCOR budget briefing.

While Tengco has called for tighter regulation, he stopped short of endorsing a full ban on online gambling. He argued that outlawing legal operators could drive players to unregulated foreign sites, which he estimates currently control more than 60% of the online gambling market. The PAGCOR chairman emphasized that the regulator is working to prevent illegal operators from dominating the sector while maintaining government oversight and revenue. Tengco highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine National Police’s cybercrime division to target foreign-based illegal operators. He described these efforts as part of a broader plan to tighten online gambling rules and curb unregulated activity.

From Sunday to yesterday, online gaming transactions fell by perhaps 50%. This shows the impact of regulatory measures, but we must also tackle illegal foreign operators that control over 60% of the market.

Outlook & The Future

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has so far remained noncommittal on the issue of an outright ban on online gambling. Analysts suggest the administration is weighing regulatory and fiscal implications ahead of the 2026 national budget.

PAGCOR’s approach reflects a balancing act: reducing illegal activity, protecting government revenue, and ensuring that legal online gambling remains within the regulatory framework. Proposed legislation under consideration seeks to place stricter controls on online gambling growth rather than imposing an outright prohibition, according to officials.