The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has promoted its newly launched National Problem Gambling Helpline as part of a broader push for responsible gaming, as the country’s gaming market showed signs of slowing in the first quarter of 2026.
Speaking at SiGMA Asia in Pasay City on June 2nd, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said regulators and industry leaders must strengthen safeguards to protect players and support sustainable growth.
“As regulators and industry leaders, we have the obligation of ensuring that innovation is matched by accountability, and that industry progress remains aligned with social responsibility and public welfare,” Tengco said.
The National Problem Gambling Helpline provides round-the-clock counseling, intervention and support for individuals and families affected by gambling-related problems. The initiative was launched in partnership with Seagulls Flock Organization, a non-profit advocacy group focused on mental health, behavioral wellness and addiction treatment.
“Through this helpline, individuals and families who are affected by problem gambling will have access to immediate, confidential, and professional support,” Tengco said.
PAGCOR said responsible gaming has become increasingly important as digital gaming platforms continue to expand. Electronic gaming helped drive the Philippines’ gross gaming revenue to nearly PHP400 billion ($6.49 billion) in 2025, up 6.39 percent from PHP372.33 billion ($6.04 billion) in 2024.
However, Tengco said recent market trends showed the cyclical nature of the sector. In the first quarter of 2026, total GGR fell 15.87 percent year-on-year to PHP87.60 billion ($1.42 billion), while the electronic gaming segment contracted 22.43 percent amid softer discretionary spending and broader economic pressures.
Licensed casinos generated PHP44.52 billion ($721.9 million), accounting for 50.83 percent of total industry revenue during the period.
Tengco said the industry’s long-term success should be measured not only by revenue growth, but also by its ability to maintain public trust and uphold responsible gaming standards.
“The true measure of this industry is not simply its size or rate of expansion, but our ability to ensure that gaming remains properly regulated, socially responsible, and genuinely beneficial to the communities we serve,” Tengco said.
