Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) faces a 49% income fall from May to September. This news came during a regulatory meeting. E-wallet disconnection from online gambling sites in August caused this problem. New player numbers also went down slightly. Jessa Fernandez works as the PAGCOR Offshore Gaming Licensing Department Assistant VP. She shared these numbers at the House Committee on Games and Amusements meeting on 22 October.

This meeting discussed new rules for online gambling control. Some people want a complete ban. PAGCOR expected PHP60bn (€883.7m) in GGR this year, Fernandez explained. August brought a sudden drop in money. The PHP500 minimum deposit rule pushes players away from legal sites. The official thinks this causes problems. Players used to add PHP100 to PHP500 before. Now they might quit licensed operators because of the new limit.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) says online gambling brings little money. It makes up only 0.37% of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP). Desiree Narvaez directs DEPDev operations. She told lawmakers her department wants a total ban or strict rules because the industry brings small economic benefits but big social problems.

Income Drop Affects PAGCOR Payments

PAGCOR still gives important money to government programs. Online gambling creates nearly 60% of agency income and supports government projects, including the Universal Health Care (UHC) program. The UHC Act takes 50% of the government’s PAGCOR income share. This money goes to PhilHealth for benefit packages. Antonio Ferrer chairs the House Committee on Games and Amusements. He believes healthcare will have “more than enough” money even if gambling income falls.

Protecting people from addiction matters more than losing money, he says. Other income sources can replace lost funds. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) writes new rules for online gambling payments. Rules will limit bet sizes and create a six-hour daily window for account top-ups with a 20% cap of the previous day’s balance. These changes try to stop too much gambling. They also improve money safety.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) fights illegal operators harder now. It blocked 12,562 gambling websites in three years, which equals 93% of illegal sites, PAGCOR reported.