PAGCOR Gaming Income Reaches P3.48 Billion As Casinos Return To Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has reportedly earned P3.48 billion PHP since January, an increase of nearly 1,800% compared to the previous calendar year. 

This time last year, officials were shaking their heads when looking at the revenue reports as they had only earned P183.92 million this time last year. No surprise income was down, given the travel restrictions and in-person limitations following the Covid-19 pandemic. PAGCOR has also seen its expenses increase by 64%, but no one is complaining since the income is returning to normal.

Since the restrictions have been lifted, many domestic and offshore casinos have seen increased users and revenue across the board. 

POGO Under Fire

PAGCOR has recently caught heat due to its Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) licensing. POGO operators target Chinese nationals due to their proximity and the fact that most Chinese can’t visit in-person casinos. China told media sources that they had blacklisted the Philippines gaming district due to their offshore licensing program. 

Since the pushback from China, PAGCOR has been invalidating POGO licensing, and the new administration is considering an all-out ban on POGO licensing. President Marcos has yet to decide on the gaming sector of the Philippines, but many people believe that reform is coming soon.

Is Online Casino Gambling Legal In The Philippines?

Yes, online casino gambling from the Philippines is legal under the current PH gambling laws. Online casinos from outside the Philippines can legally offer their services to Filipino nationals when they are licensed and regulated by a trusted gaming commission. Philippine gambling laws only address what citizens and businesses inside the country can do and not what is accessible. 

Since legal online casinos are located outside the country, it is up to the user to vet the sites and play at their own risk. We offer our PH casino reviews to help readers decide what trusted online casino suits their playing style. Our online reviews detail what banking methods are accepted, what bonuses are available, and what sites offer the most trusted online casino games.

While all the sites we recommend are licensed and trusted, each area is a little different and can benefit players differently. We suggest you see all our reviews, and if you like more than one, you can sign up with as many sites as you want. The minimum deposit is usually about USD 20, and you can cancel your account anytime.