Philippines Gaming Market Moves Closer to Casino Filipino Privatization

The Philippine casino industry is entering a new chapter as the future of Pagcor’s Casino Filipino operations shifts toward privatization. While the process is not yet finalized, the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) is reviewing the proposal that would separate Pagcor’s regulatory role from its operator status.

Good to know

• Pagcor expects the privatization process to begin in 2026 once its charter is amended.
• Casino Filipino staff are promised protection through redeployment, operator absorption, or competitive retirement benefits.
• The Philippine gaming market is aiming for US$7 billion in GGR in 2025, continuing its upward momentum.

At the Inside Asian Gaming Summit 2025 in Manila, Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco explained why the shift has become necessary. He put it plainly:

“Pagcor’s dual role has served its purpose in the past but as the industry matured, it became clear that – in layman’s terms – a referee cannot also be a player on the same field.”

For decades, Pagcor managed to regulate the industry while also running casinos under the Casino Filipino brand. That dual setup now faces legal and structural changes. Tengco said the separation requires “careful legal consideration,” since Pagcor is bound by Presidential Decree 1869 and Republic Act 9487. Amending those frameworks is the next hurdle before privatization can formally start.

Tengco first floated a 2026 timeline last year, and the agency is sticking to that roadmap. For employees, he stressed that the transition will not mean sudden displacement. Instead, staff will either join private operators, be redeployed, or receive retirement packages designed to keep things fair.

While the legal side unfolds, the market itself is booming. Pagcor reported PHP214.75 billion (around US$3.75 billion) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the first half of 2025, up more than 25 percent compared to the previous year. Electronic gaming drove much of that growth, contributing over half of total GGR.

Tengco projected that full-year revenue will hit US$7 billion, building on the US$6.5 billion achieved in 2024. He noted:

“These numbers affirm the Philippines’ place as one of the fastest-growing and most important gaming markets in Asia.”

That optimism is echoed across the region. With strong tourism recovery, expanding electronic games, and increased international investment interest, the Philippines is fast becoming a regional hub for both land-based and online gaming.

Revenue growth is only one part of the equation. Tengco highlighted that reforms around integrity and consumer protection are also a top priority. He pointed out that rapid growth in online gaming demands stronger oversight.

“The unprecedented and exponential growth of online gaming truly comes with success and revenues but, for us, our responsibility is to ensure that this sector’s growth comes not just with profit but with accountability, integrity and player protection,” Tengco said.

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