Alejandro Tengco, the CEO and chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR), emphasized the importance of collaboration within the gaming industry and its stakeholders to address problem gambling and addiction.
Tengco delivered a speech on Monday at the second annual International Conference on Responsible Gambling and Addiction, advocating for a comprehensive approach involving regulators, policymakers, industry operators, healthcare professionals, and academicians to combat the issue.
He stressed the need to share knowledge and work together as partners in identifying, preventing, and mitigating the risks associated with problem gambling.
Tengco highlighted PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Program, which facilitates self-exclusion from casinos and casino games, as well as family-initiated player exclusion. He also called for stringent regulation of gaming advertisements and collaborations with rehabilitation centers to support problem gamblers and their families.
Recognizing the social risks inherent in gaming, Tengco underscored the importance of implementing safeguards and fostering collaboration across all sectors to prioritize the safety and well-being of players.
The conference’s theme was “Empowering Pathways: Problem Gambling and Gaming Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.”
In his remarks, Tengco noted that the industry is taking proactive measures by prohibiting minors, students, and government employees from accessing land-based casinos.
Virtual threat as e-games explode
However, the rise of online gaming poses a significant risk. In the first quarter of 2025, revenue from electronic games exceeded that of traditional casinos in the Philippines for the first time.
Electronic games and e-bingo contributed to around half of the PHP104.1 billion ($1.9 billion) in gross gaming revenue generated during the period, marking a 27.4% increase from the same period in 2024, as reported by PAGCOR on May 7.
Last year saw remarkable milestones with a record-breaking PHP410 billion in GGR for 2024 in the Philippines. Tengco attributed this surge to the popularity of e-games, which generated a GGR of PHP154.51 billion, a 165% increase year-on-year and another industry record.
