PAGCOR Celebrate 40 Years of Successful Legal Gambling in the Philippines

Launched in 1983 thanks to the Presidential Decree 1869, known as the PAGCOR Charter, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has been the country’s gambling watchdog for forty years.

Speaking at its 40th celebration at the Marriott Hotel Manila, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco highlighted some of the financial successes achieved by the agency in its tenure.

Since its inception, the gambling authority has generated P607 billion in Contributions to Nation Building (CNB) and added a further P64 billion in dividends since 2011. In total, this amounts to P671 billion, which has been funnelled into the upliftment of the nation.

 11 Meaningful Contributions to the Community

The Filipino community receives many benefits from the fees collected through selling gambling licenses and the gross gaming revenue taxes collected by PAGCOR. What works well to ensure that the funds are channelled appropriately is that the National Treasury works closely with the gambling authority to ensure proper channelling and distribution.

Here are five ways in which legal gambling revenues currently uplift the Filipino community:

1. 50% of all National Treasury remittances fund the country's Universal Health Care (UHC).
2. PAGCOR helped fund the construction and outfitting of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Station Hospital.
3. Helped establish the OFW Hospital in Pampanga and donated P300 million.
4. P842.5 million was donated to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
5. P350 million was donated to the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

There are several projects in the works which will be receiving funding from PAGCOR which include:

1. The re-launch of the School Building Project to provide additional classrooms to needy public schools.
2. Launch e-Libraries to allow remote and rural students to pursue e-learning and online research projects.
3. The development of Socio-civic Centres and Community Wellness Centres across the country.
4. Launching the “Bawat Buhay Mahalaga Serbisyo Caravan” focuses on the nationwide distribution of educational, medical, and financial assistance.
5. Partner with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to donate 250 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTV) to local medical units.
6. Establish the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Clark, Pampanga, comprising heart, kidney and cancer centres and a children’s hospital.

It is fantastic to see a gambling regulator funnelling the revenues it generates through legal games of chance back into the community in a meaningful and impactful way.

 2023 Online Gambling Expansion Plans

Not looking to rely solely on its existing success, Tengco is reported to have outlined a comprehensive plan for expanding online gambling in the Philippines.

Tengco commented on the plans for the future, saying:

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“For this year and beyond, PAGCOR intends to bring regulatory frameworks for online poker operations, enhance slot machine operations, upgrade gaming equipment and create and upgrade regulatory frameworks.”

Speaking at the G2E Asia Conference in Macau, the PAGCOR CEO discussed that the regulator wants to widen the scope of online gambling in the region with a deeper focus on instant games like online slots, fixed odds betting on sports and other events, and online bingo games.

The local gambling authority is focused on creating a safe but profitable revenue generator for the country and, therefore, cannot ignore the massive success of its European and US multi-license peers worldwide.

PAGCOR Guides the Way with New Logo

In addition to sharing the statistics, financial contributions, and details of the numerous projects the organisation has spearheaded, leadership emphasised the importance of its longevity by unveiling a new logo.

Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said:

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"The new PAGCOR logo incorporates the element of fire associated with energy, inspiration, passion, and transformation. It symbolises the flame that ignites change and drives progress. The logo likewise reflects a beacon which symbolises guidance, leadership, and direction. It represents a guiding light that helps people find their way.”

The design choices are not random but are meant to reflect the leadership’s commitment to being a “guiding force that illuminates the way forward, drives transformation and development, and brings inspiration and motivation” to all parts of the country.

Looking at how gambling revenues are managed and used to improve the quality of life in the Philippines, it is safe to say they put their money where their mouths are.