PAGCOR Casino Exit Plan Could Reach Palace by August
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation could move closer in August to a split between its regulatory and casino-operating functions, when the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) is expected to submit its recommendation to the Office of the President. PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco told Philstar the government could implement the restructuring through an Executive Order by the end of 2026.
GCG chairperson Marius Corpus said the review continues, with a recommendation expected in the third quarter once required processes conclude. According to Asia Gaming Brief, the restructuring would leave PAGCOR as a pure regulator and end its current dual role as both regulator and operator in the Philippine gaming market.
The review comes as gaming revenue remains under pressure. Philippine gaming GGR fell 15.9% year on year to PHP87.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, while electronic gaming GGR declined 22.4%.
Tengco attributed the slump to the Middle East crisis, which has kept tourists and VIP players away from the market. “There are no tourists. There are no VIP players because of the war,” he said. He added that players in income classes C and D, the group most affected by the crisis, now choose food over gaming as living costs climb. Official second-quarter GGR figures are not yet available. Tengco still expects electronic gaming to support a recovery in the second half of the year.
💡TGJ Take
A split between PAGCOR’s regulatory and operating roles would remove a long-standing conflict in the Philippine market. The timetable remains provisional until GCG completes its review and the president approves the plan. The bigger near-term issue is demand. The Middle East crisis has suppressed tourism and VIP play, while income class C and D players cut gaming spend as living costs rise. Operators should watch the August recommendation alongside second-half e-gaming figures for real signs of recovery.
