Adapting to a Changing Gaming Landscape
During his keynote address at The Regulators Forum, held at the Hilton Ballroom of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco stated that the agency’s regulatory framework must continue to evolve. Tengco emphasized that PAGCOR must continually assess how to best fulfill its regulatory mandate amid emerging challenges and a changing gaming landscape.
“Our regulatory framework will continue to evolve as conditions change and as our experience gives us a better understanding of what works and where improvements are needed,” Tengco said during the forum on September 17, 2026. He added, “What matters is that we remain open to corrections, that we are willing to learn, and that we are prepared to act when change is necessary.”
According to Tengco, the strength of any regulatory system is reflected in its ability to respond to real-world conditions, protect the public, and support a legitimate gaming industry. He noted that the framework must safeguard the integrity of the sector while providing legitimate operators with a stable and predictable regulatory environment.
Decoupling Regulatory and Operating Functions
As part of PAGCOR’s ongoing institutional reform, Tengco highlighted the planned decoupling of the agency’s regulatory and operating functions. He explained that separating these roles would establish clearer standards for the industry and strengthen the agency’s regulatory capabilities. This move aims to ensure that all legitimate operators compete on a level playing field while giving the public confidence in the integrity of the system.
The decoupling proposal is currently under review by the Governance Commission for GOCCs, with a decision expected soon. Once the review is completed, the proposal will be endorsed to the Office of the President for further consideration. An executive order will be issued if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. finds merit in separating PAGCOR’s regulatory and operating functions.
Source Note
This news brief is based entirely on official statements and information provided in a release from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) official news archive.
