PAGCOR reported that its income and online gambling transactions fell 40% to 50% within two weeks after major e-wallet providers disconnected payment links to online gambling platforms under a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directive. Senators debated whether to ban online gambling or impose tighter regulation.
The reported payment disconnections coincided with a sharp decline in PAGCOR income and online gambling transactions.
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GCash parent Mynt recorded lower payment solutions revenue in H1 2026 as Philippine restrictions on gambling access through apps affected transactions. The report cited AP Securities figures showing revenue of PHP24.9bn, down 3.7% year on year.
PAGCOR reported that total revenue fell 23.41% year on year to PHP64.41bn in the first nine months of 2026, from PHP84.09bn a year earlier. Electronic gaming revenue dropped 37.23% to PHP27.63bn, while gaming operations revenue declined 23.44% to PHP58.13bn. PAGCOR attributed the downturn mainly to weaker gaming-business earnings and said a Supreme Court ruling also affected net income through a 5% gross-revenue remittance requirement.
PAGCOR aims to launch a mobile application by December 2026 that will let players check which online gaming platforms are authorised in the Philippines, the regulator said. Its board approved development and implementation on 8 October, alongside a proposed partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center, Inc. (DCI), which would build, host and maintain the platform at no cost to PAGCOR.
PAGCOR plans to launch a mobile application by December 2026 that will let players check which online gaming platforms are authorised in the Philippines, the regulator said. The board of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation approved the development and implementation of the application on 8 October, together with a proposed partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center, Inc. (DCI).
Reportedly, PAGCOR expects GCG to decide soon on its proposal to separate casino operations from regulatory responsibilities. The proposal would split PAGCOR’s operator and regulator roles.
PAGCOR chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco said the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations is expected to endorse PAGCOR’s proposal to separate its regulatory role from its Casino Filipino operations. The proposal would then go to the Office of the President for consideration; an executive order would be needed to proceed. Tengco also said PAGCOR plans to launch an app in the fourth quarter to direct users to regulated sites.