ICE Barcelona 2026: PAGCOR Urges Stronger Regulatory Enforcement to Support Sustainable Growth in Online Gaming

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) underscored the critical role of robust and effective regulatory enforcement in ensuring the sustainable growth of the online gaming industry during the ICE Barcelona 2026 conference in Spain, which brought together global regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the rapid rise of digital gaming has transformed the sector by eliminating geographical boundaries, accelerating technological innovation, and exposing regulatory gaps that traditional frameworks were not built to address.

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

Tengco pointed to the Philippines’ recent regulatory reset as a model for how jurisdictions must respond decisively to emerging risks in the online gaming space.

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

As part of these efforts, Tengco cited the Philippine government’s decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), a policy fully enforced by the end of 2024 following links to criminal activities such as fraud and money laundering.

PAGCOR has also accelerated reforms across the licensed online gaming sector, shifting toward a more player-centric regulatory approach. These measures include stricter know-your-customer (KYC) and identity verification requirements, mandatory responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion and betting limits, and tighter controls on gambling advertising to safeguard minors and vulnerable groups.

Additionally, financial safeguards have been strengthened through restrictions on certain payment channels and the introduction of a new minimum regulatory threshold, further reinforcing consumer protection and industry integrity.