On June 2nd, Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), highlighted "responsible gaming" at the opening ceremony of the SiGMA Asia 2026 Gaming Summit in Pasay City, Manila. According to the PASA official website, while he disclosed a set of unflattering Q1 data, he also introduced PAGCOR's new tool against problem gambling—a national problem gambling helpline.
The 24-hour helpline is launched in collaboration with the non-profit organization "Seagulls Flock Organization"
The National Problem Gambling Helpline offers round-the-clock uninterrupted service, aimed at individuals and families affected by gambling issues, providing psychological counseling, crisis intervention, and professional support. The helpline is operated in collaboration with PAGCOR and the Seagulls Flock Organization, a non-profit focused on mental health, behavioral correction, and addiction intervention. Tengco's message was clear—timely professional help is often more crucial than mere financial aid for those deeply troubled by gambling. He hopes the helpline will serve as a confidential, secure, and readily available resource. Essentially, PAGCOR's high-profile promotion of this helpline sends a clear signal: the industry must not only pursue growth but also uphold social responsibility and public trust.
GGR nearly ₱400 billion in 2025 but a cold start to 2026: Q1 down 15.87%, online sector shrinks by 22.43%
There are no filters in front of the data. The Philippine gaming industry's GGR in 2025 nearly reached 400 billion pesos, a 6.39% increase from 3723.3 billion pesos in 2024, with electronic gaming as the main driver. However, the scenario drastically changed entering 2026—the first quarter GGR dropped to 876 billion pesos, a 15.87% year-on-year decline; the electronic gaming sector contracted by 22.43%, a drop far exceeding the overall industry. Tengco attributed this to cautious consumer spending and changes in the overall economic environment. In contrast, physical casinos showed more resilience: Q1 licensed casinos contributed 445.2 billion pesos in revenue, accounting for 50.83% of the industry's total income. Tengco's interpretation is intriguing—online and physical casinos are not merely competitors but part of a complementary ecosystem: during expansion periods, electronic gaming leads, while during adjustment periods, physical casinos act as stabilizers.
The measure of the industry's success is not revenue but social trust
In his speech, Tengco repeatedly emphasized a judgment: the success of the gaming industry should not be solely focused on revenue curves. What truly determines the future of the industry is not just how much money is made, but whether it can continuously earn social trust and maintain a regulated, transparent, and responsible development direction. Against the backdrop of the rapid global proliferation of mobile gaming, electronic gaming, and various online platforms, the industry enjoys market benefits but also faces greater social responsibility pressures—PAGCOR's launch of the 24-hour gambling helpline is both an internal boost to governance image and a response to international regulatory trends. This edition of SiGMA Asia is one of the largest gaming industry events in the Asia-Pacific region, and Tengco's choice to showcase responsible gaming at this occasion was clearly well-considered.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gaming industry news channel: https://t.me/pasa_news
Gaming original depth channel: https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
