The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently welcomed officials from the Malawi Gaming & Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) for a regulatory knowledge exchange aimed at supporting the continued development of Malawi’s gaming industry.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the visit reflects the Philippines’ growing reputation as a model for gaming regulation, particularly among emerging gaming jurisdictions.
“We welcome the opportunity to exchange best practices with our counterparts because we can always learn from other jurisdictions, and they certainly can learn a lot from our experience as a country with a more mature gaming industry.”
Alejandro H. Tengco
Strengthening regulatory cooperation
The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority is the national regulatory body responsible for overseeing all gaming, betting, and lottery activities in Malawi. Established under the country’s Gaming and Lotteries Act of 2022, MAGLA is tasked with ensuring a safe, fair, and transparent gaming environment.
According to the Authority’s website, its mission is to protect consumers, promote responsible gaming, and support national development through effective regulation of the industry.
Malawi, formerly known as Nyasaland, is a landlocked country located in Southeastern Africa.
Philippines recognized as a regulatory benchmark
The MAGLA visit follows a series of international benchmarking initiatives undertaken by gaming regulators and government officials seeking insights into the Philippine gaming sector.
In January 2024, officials from Osaka City and the Japan Gambling Commission visited PAGCOR to study the country’s regulatory framework and operational approach to integrated resorts.
During the visit, Chairman Tengco and other PAGCOR officials accompanied members of the Osaka City Council on a guided tour of the integrated resort casinos in Entertainment City, providing first-hand insights into the management and regulation of resort casino operations.
PAGCOR noted that such benchmarking visits underscore the increasing regional competition in the integrated resort sector, particularly as Osaka moves forward with plans to open Japan’s first major casino resort by 2030.
The Philippines’ regulatory experience has also attracted attention from other emerging gaming markets. Cambodia has also sent a delegation to the country to study the local gaming industry as Phnom Penh works to strengthen regulations and establish a more robust framework for its developing domestic gaming sector.
International collaboration
As more jurisdictions seek to develop and modernize their gaming industries, PAGCOR continues to serve as a valuable source of regulatory knowledge and operational experience. The visit by the Malawi Gaming & Lotteries Authority further highlights the growing international recognition of the Philippines’ gaming regulatory framework and the benefits of cross-border collaboration in promoting responsible and sustainable industry growth.
