Philippines Senate President Francis Escudero has urged a thorough review of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs) sector, raising concerns about its impact on local players. He noted that while Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were banned due to their adverse effects on foreign gamblers, similar issues may now be affecting Filipinos through PIGOs.
Escudero has directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to conduct an in-depth assessment of the industry, evaluating its economic benefits and potential risks to the local population.
What are PIGOs?
PIGOs were introduced in 2018 to regulate and expand online gambling within the Philippines. Unlike POGOs, which cater to foreign players, PIGOs allow local players to access 바카라 games, sports betting, and other online gambling services. Operators must have at least 10 years of experience in the gaming industry and meet financial requirements, including a minimum capital of PHP100 million ($1.7 million).
A key feature of PIGOs is that they are connected to physical gaming machines or tables at land-based 바카라s rather than server-based random number generators. This setup is known as “remote gambling.”
Rising popularity and revenue growth
PAGCOR has reported 44 licensed PIGO operators in the Philippines, including Bloomberry Resorts, Travellers International Hotel Group, Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment, Bingo Plus, and Hann Philippines. These operators provide live dealer games, slots, and virtual gaming options for Filipino players.
The eGames sector under PIGO licenses has been a major driver of gaming revenue. PAGCOR’s 2024 revenue reached PHP112 billion ($1.92 billion), up 41 percent from PHP79 billion ($1.35 billion) in 2023. Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco has projected further growth of 17 percent in 2025, with the total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) expected to reach PHP450–480 billion ($7.77–$8.3 billion).
Concerns over gambling’s social impact
Escudero has highlighted , warning that the industry may be harming Filipinos, particularly those with limited financial resources. He pointed out that many former POGO operators might now be shifting their operations to the PIGO sector, making it crucial to assess its impact.
The Senate President has called on PAGCOR and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to provide detailed data on how much the government earns from PIGOs and whether these revenues justify potential social costs.
