The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has deferred the rollout of its new minimum guaranteed fee (MGF) system for the country’s electronic gaming sector by two months, citing the “current economic crisis.”
The revised policy was confirmed in a PAGCOR memo issued Monday, after the regulator initially announced the new fee regime in December. The MGF requirement had been scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026, but will now begin on June 1, 2026.
Two-Month Deferment Approved by PAGCOR Board
PAGCOR said its board of directors approved the delay during a meeting held on March 26, 2026, stating the deferment will last “for a period of two months or until June 1, 2026.”
The announcement comes as the Philippines implements energy-saving initiatives, including flexible working arrangements for state employees, amid broader economic pressure.
Updated Timeline for Minimum Guaranteed Fees
Under the revised schedule, the first tranche of MGFs will apply from June 1 to December 31, 2026, instead of the originally planned April-to-September period.
A second tranche of higher minimum fees will now take effect from January 1, 2027 onwards, replacing the earlier plan to start on October 1, 2026.
Fee Structure for Gaming System Administrators
The MGF system applies to all accredited gaming system administrators (GSAs) in the Philippine electronic gaming sector.
Under the first tranche:
- GSAs offering electronic casino games must pay a minimum monthly fee of PHP9 million if their monthly gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaches at least PHP30 million.
- GSAs without electronic casino games must pay PHP3 million monthly if their GGR reaches at least PHP15 million.
From January 2027 under the second tranche:
- GSAs with electronic casino games must pay PHP10.5 million monthly if GGR reaches at least PHP35 million.
Sector Size and Regulatory Scope
As of March 19, PAGCOR listed 65 accredited GSAs on its regulatory website. The delayed MGF rollout affects all such operators, as PAGCOR continues tightening oversight and revenue frameworks across the country’s fast-growing online gaming segment.
