Philippines casino operators and fintech groups are launching a unified defense amid rising calls to ban iGaming and tighten regulation, warning that a total prohibition would devastate the booming online gambling sector.
A coalition led by major casino-resort brands—including Solaire, Okada, and Newport—alongside the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), is arguing that heavy-handed measures could backfire, pushing players into unregulated offshore platforms.
At the core of the backlash is a draft bill from lawmakers like Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, which proposes a full ban, and tougher payment rules targeting e-wallets like GCash and Maya. In response, PAGCOR Chair Alejandro Tengco emphasized that excessive regulation—not prohibition—should be the path forward, noting that locals earn over ₱100 billion annually from online gaming license fees and that licensed operators pay ₱30–40 billion in taxes each year.
Meanwhile, the central bank (BSP) is pushing its own agenda: reducing online gambling risks by enforcing payment caps, stricter KYC rules, and barring vulnerable groups—including those under 21 or government employees—from digital betting. Fintech Alliance Philippines has pledged to help by rolling out enhanced due diligence systems that block underage or unverified users.
Industry analysts argue that banning legal iGaming would only drive consumption to unregulated black-market platforms, undermining consumer protection and cutting government revenues. With PAGCOR scheduled to revoke offshore gambling licenses by the end of 2024, the sector sees regulatory balance—not bans—as the key to sustainable growth.
As the debate intensifies in Manila, the coalition is urging a responsible compromise: tight regulation with consumer safeguards, preserving jobs, national income, and the integrity of the legal online gambling market.
