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 …
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 …
Senate President Francis Escudero is calling for a review of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGO) service, saying there should be a greater concern about the industry’s impact on residents. Escudero believes that the inland operators have benefited from the controversies surrounding the Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGO) industry and have mainly gone unnoticed. However, …
In an unprecedented step to protect Pasig City residents, mayor Vico Sotto has passed ordinance 55 to ban all forms of domestic online gambling. Mayor Sotto told media sources that Pasig City will no longer issue permits for online gambling ventures and that those with existing permits must leave the city if they wish to …
The Philippine government and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) have begun a crackdown on their online gambling sector, better known as the Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) license holders. PAGCOR first issued offshore gaming licenses in 2016, but with the new administration starting to implement its policies, many gaming operators are wondering if …
With the Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Administration settling in after a landslide electoral victory in May, PAGCOR – the Philippine gambling regulator – has all-new leadership. Alejandro H. Tengco is the new PAGCOR chairman and CEO, taking over from Andrea Domingo. Meanwhile, Juanito L. Sañosa, Jr., is the new PAGCOR president and COO. New PAGCOR board …
With the new Marcos Administration now running the show, it seems like everything is business as usual on the online gambling front. Previous President Rodrigo Duterte’s ban of e-sabong – or online cockfighting – appears to be semi-permanent, as reworking the model and re-legalizing the pastime doesn’t seem to be of chief importance right now. …
Normally, when discussing legal online gambling in the Philippines, we’re quick to point out that while the best offshore gambling sites offer Filipino gamblers a host of betting opportunities – from legal online casino gambling and legal online sports betting to legal online poker and legal online horse racing betting – the one area where …
As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease up, the gambling market in the Philippines is demonstrating a sharp year-over-year recovery. Naturally, legal sports betting has gone up considerably lately, with major domestic and international leagues resuming mostly uninterrupted activities. For example, the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup is back up and running, and the games have so …
As COVID lockdowns slowly come to a (hopefully permanent) end in the Philippines and abroad, things are moving apace in the local gambling market. And while all the most recent developments aren’t necessarily things to write home about – i.e. the Misasmis Oriental casino scandal, the Boracay casino protests, and the general political pushback on …