The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) emphasized during a gathering of global industry leaders at ICE Barcelona 2026 in Spain the importance of robust and effective regulatory enforcement to sustain growth in the online gaming sector.

PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the rapid expansion of digital gaming has reshaped the industry, erasing borders, accelerating innovation, and exposing regulatory gaps that traditional systems were not designed to manage.

Greatest threat

“The greatest threat to both regulators and licensed operators is not higher standards,” Tengco told an international audience of regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. “It is the continued presence of illegal and unregulated actors that undermines trust and distorts competition.”

Tengco cited the Philippines’ recent regulatory reset as an example of how jurisdictions must respond decisively to emerging risks.

He pointed to the government’s decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), a policy fully enforced by the end of 2024, after offshore gaming was linked to criminal activities such as fraud and money laundering, among others.

Licensed online gaming sector reforms

PAGCOR likewise intensified reforms across the licensed online gaming sector, shifting toward a more player-centric regulatory approach.

These measures include tighter know-your-customer and identity verification standards, mandatory responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion and betting limits, and stricter controls on gambling advertising to protect minors and vulnerable groups.

Tengco said financial safeguards were also strengthened through restrictions on certain payment channels and the introduction of a new minimum guaranteed fee for licensed online operators to ensure fair contribution to government revenues and promote transparency.

“Regulation is not about avoiding discomfort,” Tengco said. “It is about building a system that is resilient, accountable, and worthy of public trust.”

He also highlighted PAGCOR’s ongoing efforts to decouple its regulatory and commercial functions, describing the reform as necessary to strengthen regulatory independence and align the Philippines with international best practices.

Transitioning towards a purely regulatory role

“As PAGCOR transitions toward a purely regulatory role, our focus is to set clear rules, enforce them consistently, and create a gaming ecosystem that is fair, competitive, and resilient,” he said.

Tengco said the Philippine experience, while shaped by local conditions, offers relevant lessons for other jurisdictions facing similar challenges in a borderless digital gaming environment.

ICE Barcelona 2026, organized by Clarion Gaming and held at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, brought together regulators, operators, technology providers and policymakers from across global gaming markets to discuss regulatory trends, market