The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has clarified the size of the country’s legal online gambling market. Speaking at a Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing, PAGCOR Chair Alejandro “Al” Tengco confirmed that approximately 10 million adult Filipinos are active users on regulated e-gaming platforms.
Active Players vs. Total Accounts
Tengco emphasized that this figure differs significantly from the 32.1 million registered accounts often cited in previous discussions, including remarks by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. He explained that many individuals hold multiple accounts across different operators, inflating total account numbers while the actual number of regularly active players is much smaller.
“The 32 million figure refers only to registered accounts, not real players,” Tengco said. “Active users total around 10 million, all within PAGCOR-regulated platforms.”
Spending and Market Share
According to Tengco, the average spending per active user is around ₱4,000, underscoring the scale of economic activity on legal platforms. PAGCOR-regulated operators account for roughly 55–60% of the total online gambling market, leaving a sizable portion operating through unlicensed sites and offshore apps.
Regulatory Implications
The clarification has implications for taxation, responsible gaming, and market oversight. The distinction between registered accounts and active players helps regulators understand real engagement levels, while highlighting the need to address unregulated activity outside PAGCOR’s supervision.
“Player behavior, including hopping between sites, inflates account totals without reflecting true participation,” Tengco noted.
Regulated Growth Continues
Legal e-gaming in the Philippines has grown rapidly since its formal introduction, with millions of Filipinos betting through PAGCOR-approved channels. While the 10 million active users signal strong adoption, the agency continues to monitor the fragmented market to ensure compliance and protect player welfare.
