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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has taken strong action in the first seven months of 2025 by voiding or withholding over PHP200 million, equivalent to around US$3.5 million, in casino winnings from individuals identified as government officials or employees. These winnings were not awarded in line with existing regulations that prohibit government personnel from entering and gambling in licensed casino venues across the country.
Stringent Enforcement of Current Rules
Alejandro Tengco, Pagcor’s chairman and chief executive officer, revealed the figures during an interview with True FM radio station. He highlighted that the agency is strictly implementing a ban on government officials and employees from playing in the country’s physical casinos. He stressed that even if those affected appeal the decision, Pagcor will not release the withheld winnings.
The withheld amount stems from what Tengco described as a “secondary screening” conducted by the casino industry. This additional check happens when a player claims their winnings and serves to flag any restricted persons, including elected local government unit officials and government employees.
Legal Framework Behind the Ban
The enforcement of the ban is reflected in Memorandum Circular No. 06, which absolutely forbids government workers and employees from going to any physical casino resorts. The policy seeks to introduce integrity in the public service and prevent conflict of interest violations by engaging in gambling activities.
Continuing Actions Against Online Gambling
In addition to the physical casino ban, the government is also addressing illegal and unregulated online gambling. Discussions in the Philippine Senate have recently focused on tightening regulations across the country’s online gambling sector. To aid this, the central bank has ordered e-wallet operators and digital payments platforms to delete access links to online gambling sites.
Spurring this regulatory drive, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently prohibited its own employees and local government officials from playing online games of chance. Citing reports of government personnel involved in online gambling, the DILG compared the issues to those the 2016 Memorandum Circular sought to address with physical casinos.
Safeguarding Public Service Integrity
The DILG emphasized that such gambling acts endanger the ethical standards that government officials and employees should uphold. They highlighted that the growing availability of online gambling sites negates the initial purpose of current regulations, which threatens the credibility of government service just as much or perhaps more.
Giving Fair Play: Pagcor’s Adherence to Ethical Values
PAGCOR’s firm action in voiding excluded players’ winnings demonstrates the seriousness of the agency in enforcing legal and ethical business practices in the gaming sector. Collaborative effort between government agencies in regulating land-based casinos and online gambling operators demonstrates committed government efforts to ensure equity and transparency.
In spite of the ongoing challenges in suppressing illegal gambling operations, the ongoing efforts reflect the determination to protect public trust through regulating gaming participation, particularly among individuals holding a position in a government office.
This positive move is also in line with the appeal to responsibility and ethical practice in gambling and government institutions, with a perspective of ensuring that there is public confidence in regulatory agencies.
Source: GGR Asia
