Riley Grant 
The Philippine gambling industry is entering another period of change as regulators continue refining policies on local gaming and offshore operators. Recent developments linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have reignited public discussion about the industry’s direction and how Filipino players are adapting to the evolving market. Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that the …
For months, there was a sense that online gambling in the Philippines had exploded beyond control, with estimates throwing around figures of 30 million users or more. But when regulators finally clarified the numbers, the reality turned out to be far more grounded and far more complicated. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently …
The Philippine government has taken a firm stance against gambling participation among public servants, introducing a sweeping prohibition that covers both physical and digital betting activities. Under a newly enforced Civil Service Commission (CSC) policy, all government officials and employees are now barred from engaging in any form of gambling, both in person and online. …
Philippine authorities are preparing criminal cases against social media influencers accused of promoting illegal online gambling platforms, marking a significant escalation in the country’s crackdown on unlicensed digital betting operations. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), working alongside the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group and the country’s gaming …
The Philippines will be represented by two alpine skiers at the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics, underscoring the nation’s continued progress and visibility in winter sports on the global stage. Tallulah Proulx will compete in the women’s slalom and giant slalom, making history as the first Filipina to qualify for the Winter Olympics and one of …
PAGCOR is on track to privatize all Casino Filipino branches by late 2026 or early 2027 and considers the transition achievable. PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco said the sale of the state‑run casinos could generate PHP30 billion to PHP50 billion in revenue, consistent with earlier projections. The gambling regulator aims to achieve its long-term goal by …
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has announced plans to set up a 24-hour problem gambling helpline in 2026. Many see this as a major step forward for the country’s growing gaming industry. The new helpline will offer quick counseling and referral services to people harmed by gambling. This shows PAGCOR’s stronger focus on …
The gambling industry in the Philippines is expected to grow strongly in 2026, thanks to new casinos opening, more international tourists visiting, and higher interest from local players. Analysts predict that gross gaming revenue could go over $7 billion, making the Philippines Asia’s second-largest gaming market after Macau. This growth follows PAGCOR’s record results in …
The Philippines’ Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has intensified its operations against the promotion of unauthorized online gambling, releasing a list of influencers and digital accounts alleged to be involved. According to the agency, which is working in partnership with the digital advocacy group Digital Pinoys, the list has been turned over to the …
In response to growing concerns over the adverse effects of iGaming, the Philippine Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, will initiate a formal investigation into the industry. This probe aims to assess the consequences of online gambling and guide legislative decisions on several pending bills that propose tighter controls or …