PAGCOR commits over €700k to NBI in fight vs illegal gambling
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has committed PHP50 million (€734,200) in financial support to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to boost operations against illegal gaming activities, including the banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The support was formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed at PAGCOR’s Corporate Office in Pasay City by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco and NBI Director Jaime Santiago. During the ceremony, PAGCOR immediately turned over PHP25 million (€367,100), representing the first tranche of the total grant.
Tengco said the partnership reflects PAGCOR’s broader mission not only to regulate the industry and generate state revenues but also to protect the integrity of the gaming sector. “We are signing a Memorandum of Agreement that underscores the shared responsibility of PAGCOR and the NBI in promoting lawful, fair, and responsible gaming in the Philippines,” Tengco said.
Assistance to strengthen enforcement
The PHP50 million (€734,200) assistance is expected to cover operational costs of NBI’s anti-illegal gambling initiatives. PAGCOR clarified that part of the funds will also help support detainees in cases linked to illegal offshore gaming.
“This assistance will defray the cost of food and expenses for POGO detainees, as well as support the Bureau’s legitimate operations against illegal gaming activities,” Tengco said. He also stressed that the agreement highlights PAGCOR’s determination to protect revenues from legal gaming, ensuring that they are channelled back to public benefit programmes.
In July 2024, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban on POGOs during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). Marcos’ decision came after many high-profile cases and investigations were linked to POGOs.
“Illegal gambling operators undermine our laws, exploit our people, and put our communities at risk. By working hand in hand with the NBI, we are sending a strong message that we will not allow unlawful gaming practices to persist,” he added.
NBI welcomes PAGCOR partnership
For his part, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the grant would provide the Bureau with additional capability to pursue investigations and enforcement operations against unlicensed gaming.
“The NBI welcomes PAGCOR’s assistance as it will enable us to step up our operations against illegal POGOs and other unlawful gaming activities. This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people,” Santiago said.
Broader framework to address gambling risks
Earlier this month, PAGCOR shared that it introduced a gaming education framework aimed at increasing awareness of the risks associated with unlawful betting.
The framework includes player education on responsible gambling, training for operators to identify problem gamblers, and broader public outreach campaigns. PAGCOR officials have emphasised that stronger collaboration with law enforcement, regulators, and community organisations is needed to counter illegal operators, many of whom exploit technological advances to run unlicensed platforms.
Online gaming’s rapid growth
The crackdown on illegal gambling comes at a time when online gaming continues to dominate the Philippine gaming industry. PAGCOR earlier shared that the country’s gross gaming revenues (GGR) reached PHP214.75 billion (€3.31 billion) in the first half of 2025. The agency said that iGaming accounted for more than half of this total. This reflects the growing reliance on mobile devices and digital platforms by Filipinos.
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