Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, commonly known as PAGCOR, is a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Philippines. It serves a dual role in the national gaming sector: it regulates and licenses private gaming businesses while also operating its own casino network under the Casino Filipino brand. Its mandate covers casinos, electronic gaming, bingo, offshore gaming frameworks, and other permitted games of chance, while lotteries remain under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and horse-race betting is regulated by the Games and Amusements Board. PAGCOR was created in 1977 during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. through Presidential Decree No. 1067-A. Its original purpose was to respond to the spread of illegal casino operations and place gambling activity under government oversight. The corporation opened its first casino, Manila Bay Casino, on the floating vessel MS Philippine Tourist in 1977. The vessel was destroyed by fire in 1979, after which PAGCOR moved toward land-based operations. A subsequent decree, Presidential Decree No. 1869 of 1983, expanded PAGCOR's authority to establish and conduct gaming pools and casinos nationwide. Following the 1986 political transition, the corporation was reorganized under President Corazon Aquino and retained as a revenue-generating government enterprise. Its proceeds have been used to support public programs and government revenues, making it one of the country's largest state revenue contributors. Republic Act No. 9487, enacted in 2007, extended PAGCOR's authority for 25 years and permitted it to enter joint ventures, management arrangements, and investment agreements with private entities. This framework supported the development of large integrated resorts in the Manila Bay Entertainment City area and Newport City in Pasay. Two major integrated resorts opened in 2014, strengthening the Philippines' position as a regional casino and tourism destination while leaving PAGCOR with a continuing regulatory role. In 2016, PAGCOR began formally regulating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs. The program allowed licensed online-gaming service providers to operate from the Philippines and largely served overseas customers. The sector later became politically controversial because of concerns involving illegal operations, public order, money laundering, and links to other criminal activity. In July 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a nationwide ban on POGOs, and PAGCOR was directed to end their operations by the close of that year. PAGCOR operates casinos, VIP slot clubs, and satellite gaming venues in major Philippine cities. Through its regulatory functions, it also supervises privately owned casinos, bingo parlors, and electronic-gaming venues. The organization has employed more than 11,000 workers according to reference material. It announced plans for a globally oriented online casino under the Casino Filipino name in early 2024. PAGCOR also introduced a new corporate logo in July 2023, presenting the design as a symbol of energy, guidance, transformation, and progress. The redesign attracted social-media criticism and comparisons with the branding of Petron Corporation, but did not interrupt the corporation's operations.

PAGCOR was established during the Martial Law period in the Philippines through Presidential Decree No. 1067-A, issued on January 1, 1977. The government created the corporation in response to the expansion of illegal casino activity and sought to centralize oversight of gambling while generating funds for public purposes. PAGCOR's first casino was the Manila Bay Casino, a floating venue operated aboard the MS Philippine Tourist. The vessel was gutted by fire in 1979, prompting a transition toward land-based casino operations. PAGCOR subsequently entered into an arrangement involving the Provident International and Resources Corporation building in Parañaque, Metro Manila. Presidential Decree No. 1869, issued in 1983, strengthened the corporation's mandate by authorizing it to conduct and establish gaming pools and casinos throughout the country. After the 1986 change of government, President Corazon Aquino reorganized PAGCOR as a new government corporation. The reconstituted organization was retained as a means of raising funds for government programs and became a significant contributor to state revenues. Norberto Quisumbing became the first chairman of the reorganized PAGCOR, followed by Alicia Reyes, who served as chair and chief executive. Efraim Genuino later led the corporation during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In 2007, Republic Act No. 9487 extended PAGCOR's authority for another 25 years. The law also enabled the corporation to issue licenses and enter joint-venture, management, and investment agreements with private-sector entities. These powers were particularly important to the development of Entertainment City in Parañaque and integrated resorts in Newport City, Pasay. Two major integrated resorts opened on November 1, 2014. PAGCOR has continued to operate its own Casino Filipino network while regulating privately owned casinos and other gaming businesses. Its operating portfolio includes casinos and VIP slot clubs in major cities, and its regulatory responsibilities include more than 180 bingo parlors and electronic-gaming venues according to reference material. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office retains responsibility for lotteries, while the Games and Amusements Board regulates horse betting, leaving PAGCOR with a distinct but broad gaming mandate. The corporation's role expanded into online gaming during the 2010s. Although offshore-facing gaming businesses had reportedly existed in the Philippines before formal regulation, PAGCOR began regulating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in 2016. Many licensed operators were associated with the Chinese market and served customers outside the Philippines. The program became increasingly controversial amid allegations and investigations concerning illegal gambling, criminal networks, money laundering, trafficking, and public-safety risks. On July 22, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a ban on POGOs, after which PAGCOR was directed to wind down all such operations by the end of that year. PAGCOR marked the adoption of its current logo on July 11, 2023. Chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco described the logo's flame and beacon imagery as representing energy, inspiration, leadership, guidance, and transformation. The rebranding generated online debate, including comparisons with the unrelated Petron Corporation. The controversy did not prevent PAGCOR from continuing its regulatory and casino operations. The corporation remains under the Office of the President and is described in reference material as one of the Philippines' largest contributors to government revenue.

• 2024

  POGO operations are ordered to end

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The Philippine government bans POGOs and directs PAGCOR to cease their operations by the end of the year.

• 2023

  New corporate identity is introduced

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  PAGCOR adopts a new logo using flame and beacon imagery to represent transformation and guidance.

• 2016

  PAGCOR begins regulating POGOs

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  PAGCOR establishes a formal regulatory framework for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

• 2014

  Integrated resorts open

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Two integrated resorts associated with PAGCOR's Manila Bay and Newport City development framework open on November 1.

• 2007

  Authority is extended through Republic Act No. 9487

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The law grants PAGCOR another 25 years of authority and enables private-sector agreements supporting major integrated-resort developments.

• 1986

  PAGCOR is reorganized

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  President Corazon Aquino re-establishes and reorganizes PAGCOR as a government revenue-generating corporation.

• 1983

  PAGCOR mandate is expanded

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Presidential Decree No. 1869 authorizes PAGCOR to conduct and establish gaming pools and casinos nationwide.

• 1979

  Floating casino is destroyed by fire

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The MS Philippine Tourist, which housed Manila Bay Casino, is gutted by fire, contributing to PAGCOR's shift toward land-based venues.

• 1977

  PAGCOR is established

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Presidential Decree No. 1067-A creates PAGCOR to address illegal casino activity and place gambling under government control.

• 1977

  First PAGCOR casino opens

  [1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Manila Bay Casino begins operations aboard the floating vessel MS Philippine Tourist.

The Philippines' official gaming regulator and a major state-owned casino operator, combining commercial gaming operations with public-revenue and regulatory responsibilities.

• Casino network

  Casino Filipino

  Casino Filipino is PAGCOR's branded network of government-operated casinos and satellite venues. Major locations have included Malate and Santa Cruz in Manila, as well as casinos in Angeles City, Bacolod, Cebu City, Davao City, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Olongapo, and Tagaytay. The network combines casino gaming with PAGCOR's broader role as a public gaming operator.

• Gaming regulation · 1977

  Gaming licenses and regulatory services

  PAGCOR licenses and supervises eligible private gaming businesses in the Philippines. Its regulatory scope includes privately owned casinos, bingo parlors, electronic-gaming cafes, and other permitted gaming activities. This function distinguishes PAGCOR from an ordinary casino company because the corporation both operates venues and sets or enforces sector rules.

• Online gaming regulation · 2016

  Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators framework

  The POGO framework allowed PAGCOR-licensed online-gaming service providers to operate from the Philippines while serving customers outside the country. The program became associated primarily with operators serving Chinese-speaking markets and was later subject to substantial political and regulatory controversy. The national government ordered POGO operations to end in 2024.

• 2024

  Controversy surrounding POGO regulation and shutdown

  PAGCOR's regulation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators became controversial amid concerns about illegal gambling, criminal activity, money laundering, trafficking, and public safety. The national government subsequently banned POGOs and ordered their operations to cease by the end of 2024.

  Source

• 2023

  Criticism of corporate logo redesign

  The new PAGCOR logo attracted online criticism, including comparisons with the branding of the unrelated Petron Corporation. The dispute concerned visual identity rather than the interruption of PAGCOR's gaming operations.

  Source

Read more

• 2023PAGCOR corporate rebranding

  Philippines

  PAGCOR launched a new corporate logo on July 11, 2023. The organization presented the flame and beacon motifs as symbols of energy, inspiration, guidance, leadership, and transformation.

  Outcome. The redesign remained in use, although it prompted social-media criticism and comparisons with Petron Corporation's logo.

  Source

• 2024

  Plan an international Casino Filipino online casinoProduct launch

  Background

  PAGCOR sought to extend the Casino Filipino brand into online gaming with an offering aimed at a global audience.

  Action taken

  The corporation announced plans to launch a globally facing online casino in early 2024.

  Source

• 2024

  Wind down POGO operationsStrategy

  Background

  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a nationwide ban on POGOs amid concerns about illegal activity and public safety.

  Action taken

  PAGCOR was instructed to stop POGO operations by the end of 2024.

  Aftermath

  The decision ended PAGCOR's formal POGO licensing program and required the sector to be closed or transitioned under government direction.

  Source

• 2016

  Create a regulatory framework for POGOsStrategy

  Background

  Online-gaming businesses serving overseas customers had operated in the Philippines before PAGCOR established a formal framework.

  Action taken

  PAGCOR began issuing and supervising licenses for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and related service providers.

  Aftermath

  The sector expanded but later became the subject of extensive public controversy and was banned by the national government in 2024.

  Source

• 2007

  Expand authority and enable integrated-resort partnershipsStrategy

  Background

  Republic Act No. 9487 extended PAGCOR's authority for 25 years and authorized agreements with private entities in connection with Entertainment City and Newport City.

  Action taken

  PAGCOR used the expanded framework to license, manage, or support private-sector integrated-resort development in designated areas.

  Aftermath

  Two integrated resorts opened in 2014, contributing to the growth of Manila's casino and tourism sector.

  Source

• 2024

  PAGCOR announces planned global online casino under Casino Filipino[1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  PAGCOR announced plans to launch an online casino aimed at international users under its Casino Filipino brand.

• 2024

  Supreme Court ruling directs PAGCOR to remit a share of gross income to the Philippine Sports Commission[1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Lawsuit · Regulation

  A Supreme Court action granted a mandamus connected with a challenge to a prior PAGCOR memorandum and directed the corporation to remit 5 percent of gross income annually to the Philippine Sports Commission from 1993.

• 2023

  PAGCOR adopts a new corporate logo[1]Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  PAGCOR introduced a new logo featuring imagery described by its leadership as a flame and beacon representing transformation, guidance, and progress. The design drew criticism and comparisons with Petron's branding on social media.

1. 1Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2PAGCOR official websitepagcor.ph