Manila: State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported a 14 percent increase in revenues, reaching PHP59 billion in the first half of the year, compared to PHP51.8 billion during the same period last year. Bulk of these revenues were derived from gaming operations and license fee shares, totaling PHP53.4 billion, alongside PHP5.7 billion from other related services and non-gaming income.
According to Philippines News Agency, the revenue from gaming alone saw a year-on-year growth of 17.7 percent, largely driven by the success of licensed digital platforms and land-based casinos. PAGCOR highlighted that this robust revenue stream facilitated an increase in its contributions to nation-building, which rose to PHP38.1 billion, a 20 percent jump from PHP31.8 billion in the previous year.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco detailed the distribution of the total contributions to nation-building, stating that PHP25.36 billion was remitted to the National Treasury as the mandated government share. From this amount, PHP30 million went to the Dangerous Drugs Board, while approximately PHP12.7 billion was allocated as the PhilHealth share.
Tengco emphasized that under the Universal Healthcare Law or Republic Act No. 11223, half of PAGCOR's remittances to the National Treasury are directed to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, aiding in providing equitable healthcare access to Filipinos. He projected that their Universal Healthcare contribution could reach PHP25 billion by year-end, potentially offering PHP10,000 worth of healthcare assistance to over 2.5 million Filipinos.
Additionally, PAGCOR paid PHP2.7 billion in franchise taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue and allocated PHP7.9 billion to socio-civic initiatives, including the President's Social Fund. The Philippine Sports Commission received a share of PHP1.3 billion for the period.
Further distributions included PHP269.2 million in corporate income tax and PHP341 million to local government units hosting Casino Filipino branches. Other beneficiaries were the Board of Claims, receiving PHP109.2 million, and the Renewable Energy Trust Fund, which was allocated PHP157.35 million.
PAGCOR's net income surged to PHP10.8 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 64.3 percent increase from PHP6.6 billion in the corresponding period last year. Tengco affirmed PAGCOR's commitment to being a vital government partner, focusing on strengthening its regulatory framework to ensure that revenues from regulated gaming continue to benefit the public good.
