The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will maintain its freeze on new e-gaming operator applications as it seeks to consolidate the country’s regulated online gaming market. The number of licensed operators has fallen to 48 from 74. In addition, the regulator is focusing on removing inactive licensees.
PAGCOR Targets Inactive Operators
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the moratorium, which has been in place since March 2024, will remain until the market becomes more consolidated. Moreover, the regulator has identified companies that obtained licences but remained inactive. Some have allegedly attempted to sell their approvals.
PAGCOR is working to remove such operators from the regulated market while allowing stronger businesses to remain. The approach is intended to prevent excessive growth in the number of domestic online gaming platforms.
The original moratorium, announced in February 2024, placed new accreditation applications for Gaming System Service Providers on hold from March 1. This category covers businesses supporting electronic casino games, bingo, sports betting and specialty games.
Existing Fee Rates Remain
Alongside the application freeze, PAGCOR plans to keep current e-gaming fees unchanged. E-gaming operators are subject to a 30% gross gaming revenue (GGR) rate. Meanwhile, online gaming operations linked to integrated resorts pay 25%. These rates have applied since January 2025.
Tengco said maintaining the existing rates would provide greater consistency for government revenue.
Market Consolidation Shapes Growth
PAGCOR expects the Philippine gaming industry to generate around PHP370 billion ($6.5 billion) in GGR in 2026. This figure is below the PHP396.14 billion ($6.9 billion) recorded in 2025.
For operators and B2B suppliers, the continued freeze signals that PAGCOR is prioritising market consolidation, licence quality and regulatory stability over expanding the number of e-gaming licences. New market entrants may therefore need to wait. This will continue until the regulator determines that conditions are suitable for reopening applications.
