Key Moments:
- PAGCOR withheld over PHP200 million (approx. US$3.5 million) in casino winnings from government officials during the first seven months of 2025.
- Agency enforced a ban preventing government personnel from gambling in licensed casinos and refused all appeals for withheld winnings.
- The crackdown also extended to online gambling, with new measures targeting digital payment access and staff participation.
Heightened Scrutiny at Philippine Casinos
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has executed a strict clampdown during the first seven months of 2025, stopping over PHP200 million, or about US$3.5 million, in casino winnings from being delivered to individuals identified as government officials or staff. These measures directly respond to regulations that expressly prevent government employees from entering or gambling in any of the nation’s licensed casino venues.
PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco discussed the figures in a True FM radio interview, emphasizing that the agency is uncompromising in applying the prohibition against such personnel. He confirmed that attempts to appeal the withholding of winnings are categorically denied, with no exceptions granted.
Mechanisms and Legal Grounds for Exclusion
The withheld amounts arise from what was described as a “secondary screening” process within the casino industry. This extra verification occurs when a player claims their winnings, allowing casino operators to detect banned individuals, including elected local government officials and broader government workers.
| Group Affected | Enforcement Mechanism | Period | Total Winnings Withheld |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government officials and employees | Secondary screening at casinos | First seven months of 2025 | PHP200 million (approx. US$3.5 million) |
The legal basis for this action is laid out in Memorandum Circular No. 06, which strictly forbids any government personnel from entering or playing at physical casino resorts. This initiative is designed to uphold integrity in public service and eliminate any risk of conflicts of interest from gambling activities.
Regulatory Response to Online Gambling
Beyond physical casinos, the government has ramped up action against illegal and unregulated online gambling platforms. The Philippine Senate recently engaged in discussions aimed at tightening controls on the country’s online gambling sector. Supplementing these moves, the central bank instructed e-wallets and digital payment providers to remove access links to gambling websites.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) added weight to these efforts by instituting a ban on their personnel from participating in online games of chance, following concerns about government staff involvement in this sphere. The DILG related these digital issues to the same problems addressed by the 2016 Memorandum Circular regarding physical casinos.
Commitment to Ethical Standards and Public Trust
The DILG warned that allowing public officials to gamble erodes the moral expectations tied to their positions, further emphasizing that widespread online gambling threatens the credibility of government service just as significantly, if not more.
PAGCOR’s decision to void the winnings of restricted individuals sends a clear message about the agency’s resolve to promote legal and ethical standards in both the land-based and digital gaming industries. The collaborative approach across government departments reinforces a push for fairness and transparency in the gaming landscape.
In facing ongoing hurdles related to illegal gambling, authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to protect the integrity of public service by regulating who can take part in gaming activities—especially those holding official positions. These actions also respond to a broader call for responsible conduct, assuring stakeholders of the government’s dedication to upholding trust in regulatory frameworks.
- Author
Daniel Williams
