GCG Set to Endorse PAGCOR Decoupling of Regulator and Operator Roles
GCG will soon endorse PAGCOR decoupling its regulator and operator roles, with President Marcos’ office deciding via Executive Order. A new Q4 app will direct players to licensed sites after e-wallet delinking reduced visibility. Self-exclusion rose from 1,500 to over 26,000.
SCCG Take — Decoupling promises sharper regulation but requires meticulous handling of its overhaul risks to safeguard stability for operators and the broader Philippine market.
The Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) will officially endorse PAGCOR’s proposal to separate its regulatory powers from its Casino Filipino operations, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said. The endorsement is expected very soon, after which the Office of the President will evaluate the matter and potentially issue an Executive Order if it finds merit.
Tengco disclosed the timeline during a keynote address at the IAG Academy Summit in Manila. Decoupling has remained a stated priority under his leadership, even as the review process slowed in recent months. He described the initiative as a major institutional overhaul with legal, financial, operational and human resource implications that demands every step be carefully considered.
Once the review is completed, the GCG will officially endorse the decoupling proposal to the Office of the President. What is important, however, is the direction that PAGCOR is taking. As preparations for decoupling are underway, we are already laying the groundwork for a future in which PAGCOR can devote its entire focus, expertise and resources to regulation.
New PAGCOR App Targets Visibility of Licensed Igaming Sites
Tengco provided details on separate efforts to steer players toward regulated platforms. PAGCOR will launch a new PAGCOR App in the fourth quarter of this year to serve as a convenient tool directing users to legitimate sites equipped with safeguards, accountability measures and responsible gaming standards. The initiative responds to visibility gaps created by the central bank’s mid-2025 order requiring e-wallets to delink from gambling platforms, as reported by Inside Asian Gaming.
Tengco stressed that promoting regulated gaming must not be mistaken for promoting irresponsible gaming. PAGCOR’s self-exclusion list, launched in 2025, has expanded from 1,500 individuals one year ago to more than 26,000 today.
Execution Risks in the Decoupling Transition
The anticipated GCG endorsement advances a clear regulatory focus, yet the scale of legal, financial and operational changes introduces specific risks if execution falters. Any Executive Order from the Office of the President will require precise implementation to avoid market disruption or unintended effects on licensed operators. Close attention to the presidential review remains essential, as the outcome will determine both the pace and structure of PAGCOR’s shift to pure regulator status.
Reporting: Inside Asian Gaming
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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