We gained the insight of Dominique Laconico, MegaBet+ & Scorebet, President & CEO, on the regulatory evolution and cultural shift of the Philippines market.
Laconico reflected on the landmark decisions of President Marcos and analysed why the Philippines can be a hub for the Asian gambling industry.
iGaming Expert: How much of a shift has the Philippines been through in the past year in terms of the mindset towards gambling?
Dominique Laconico: Over the past few years, the Philippines has gone through quite a change in how people see gambling, both at home and abroad. Gambling has long been a big part of Filipino culture and the economy, but recent developments have made people more cautious and sometimes more sceptical about its role.
To really understand what’s happening, it’s important to look at both the domestic scene and the international picture.
On the international side, a major turning point was PAGCOR’s decision to stop issuing new licenses for POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators). This move reflects growing concerns over regulation, security, and social issues tied to offshore gambling. The decision has created some uncertainty and criticism from industry players, but it also signals that the Government is taking a tougher stance—aiming for stricter controls. Abroad, there’s more scrutiny than ever over POGOs, especially related to money laundering and organised crime, which influences how other countries and organisations view the industry.
Even though licensing for international POGOs has stopped, the Philippines is still an important player in other parts of the gaming industry. Live dealer studios, customer support centres, and BPO services continue to employ tens of thousands of Filipinos, keeping the industry alive and vital.
Domestically, things have also changed. Large integrated resorts now see very little junket activity, which impacts the local gaming scene just as much as it does in Vegas or Macau. On the bright side, new online gaming regulations from PAGCOR are opening up fresh growth opportunities. These changes show that local gaming still has a lot of potential and is growing year after year.
All in all, the last year has been about balancing the economic benefits of gambling with increased scepticism and calls for tighter rules. PAGCOR’s move to stop issuing new POGO licenses shows that the Philippines is taking a more cautious approach, rethinking its stance on offshore gambling as it faces new challenges.
iGX: In hindsight, do you believe the move of President Marcos to eradicate POGOs from the Philippines had a positive impact?
DL: In retrospect, President Marcos’ move to eliminate POGOs in the Philippines can be seen as a decision with both positive and negative implications. On the positive side, it demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing regulatory oversight, addressing concerns around money laundering and security, and safeguarding the country’s reputation. It reflects a focus on responsible governance in the gaming industry.
However, the move also had significant economic repercussions, including the loss of jobs and revenue generated by POGOs and related services. This impacted many Filipino workers and industry stakeholders.
Overall, whether this decision is viewed as beneficial depends on the perspective. From a regulatory and security standpoint, it’s a proactive step toward a more controlled environment. From an economic viewpoint, it’s a setback.
Ultimately, it indicates that the Philippines is prioritising long-term stability and responsible growth, aiming to balance industry development with social and security concerns. In addition, the newly regulated domestic online market has proven to be lucrative. This will lessen the pressure on PAGCOR to introduce a new form of POGO, but PAGCOR is studying a new offshore regulation and should roll something out within the year
iGX: How vital is the removal of the Philippines from the FATF AML grey list to the legitimisation of the country’s gambling sector?
DL: The Philippines being removed from the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) grey list is a key milestone for the legitimacy and future growth of its gambling industry. Being on the list highlights vulnerabilities in the country’s anti-money laundering systems, which can raise concerns among international investors, financial institutions, and gaming operators. It can also limit access to global banking services and hinder international collaborations.
By addressing these issues and achieving removal from the grey list, the Philippines demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening its regulatory framework, improving transparency, and combating financial crimes.
This boost in credibility is essential for attracting responsible operators, encouraging foreign investment, and establishing the country as a more reputable gaming hub.
Overall, the move to exit the FATF grey list is more than just a regulatory achievement—it’s a vital step toward ensuring sustainable growth, fostering investor confidence, and reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a trustworthy destination for gaming and hospitality.
iGX: Can the Philippines become a hub for the Asian gambling ecosystem?
DL: Absolutely, the Philippines has the potential to become a significant hub within the Asian gambling ecosystem. Its strategic location, large and tech-savvy population, and established gaming infrastructure already provide a strong foundation. The country has a well-regulated industry led by PAGCOR, which was founded in 1976. With close to 50 years of regulation experience, PAGCOR is one of the oldest gaming regulators in the world and has made efforts to modernise and improve transparency in recent years.
Moreover, the Philippines benefits from a favourable legal environment for online and integrated resort gaming, attracting international investors and operators. Its existing BPO industry and experienced workforce also offer valuable support services for gaming companies.
However, realising this potential depends on several critical factors, including the continuation of regulatory reforms, the enhancement of transparency and compliance measures, and the adaptation to regional trends such as the increasing emphasis on responsible gaming practices. Effectively addressing these areas will be essential for the Philippines to establish itself as a prominent player within the broader Asian gambling ecosystem.
With ongoing efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework and attract responsible operators, the Philippines is well-positioned to emerge as a major gambling hub in Asia—leveraging its strategic geographic location, established industry expertise, and sizable market. Such developments could significantly enhance the country’s standing in the region’s evolving gaming landscape.
iGX: Can you tell us more about the shift towards PIGO licenses in the Philippines?
DL: The shift towards PIGO (Philippine International Gaming Operators) licenses in the Philippines is a pretty big change in how the country’s gaming industry is being regulated. In the past, a lot of offshore operators like POGOs dominated the scene, mainly catering to international players. But now, the Government is focusing on bringing more responsible and transparent operations into a formal, regulated framework. While not new (originally introduced in 2018), it has been adopted and implemented.
PIGO licenses are meant to attract reputable international gaming companies that want to operate legally and follow strict standards for fairness, security, and responsible gaming. This move is all about improving the reputation of the industry, making sure operators are legit, and fighting against unregulated, grey-market activities. With very high minimum capitalisation and a mandatory.
10-year gaming background, amongst other requirements, PAGCOR is clearly sending a signal to attract gaming professionals of the highest calibre.
Basically, it shows that the Philippines is trying to modernise its gaming sector—shift away from the shady side of things and promote a more sustainable, credible industry. Plus, it opens up more opportunities for foreign investors who want to work within a clear, trustworthy legal environment. Overall, the push for PIGO licenses is about making the industry cleaner, more attractive, and aligned with international standards, which benefits everyone involved.
iGX: Why do you believe the SBC Summit in Lisbon is such a crucial part of the iGaming calendar?
DL: SBC Summit has been on my calendar since the date was announced. I consider it to be the most important show to attend in our sector. It combines the top industry suppliers with the top C-suite subject matter experts of the leading gaming companies of the world.
While most shows concentrate on maximising the number of vendors on the show floor, SBC curates their exhibition floor carefully with not only the top names in the industry but also the best of the up-and-coming companies in the market.
iGX: How important is it that the emerging markets track takes centre stage at the SBC Summit?
DL: Emerging markets are the lifeblood of our industry. Everyone is looking for the next big market. And those who get there first have a definite advantage. The operators who are late to the party often face a cost of entry into the market exponentially higher. It is great that SBC identified this and made it the focus of the conference.
