Online gaming has emerged as one of the government’s biggest revenue drivers this year, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said today, even as it raised alarm over unregulated sites preying on Filipino players.

In a report to the House Committee on Games and Amusements, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the licensed online gaming sector earned Php69 billion in license fees from January to July this year alone.

Of the total, Php41 billion came from electronic games (E-Games) while Php28 billion came from other online game offerings.

“Because of its huge potential, online gaming has become an important source of funds for our nation-building commitments, including PAGCOR’s support for education, health care, and community development,” Mr. Tengco said.

The PAGCOR chief added that in the first seven months of 2025, online gaming contributed Php27.47 billion to nation-building, funding corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs including Php14.72 billion for the Universal Health Care Law.

Other projects that will benefit from the robust performance of the online gaming sector are PAGCOR’s flagship CSR projects, including the construction of school buildings, socio-civic centers, wellness centers and E-Learning hubs.

“Every peso we collect from the gaming sector translates to meaningful projects such as classrooms for our children, health programs for our people, and safe spaces for communities in times of calamity. This is how we ensure that gaming directly benefits Filipinos,” Mr. Tengco said.

But he also warned of the growing threat of illegal online operators that entice players of all ages without safeguards.

“These illegal sites not only deprive the government of much-needed revenues but also expose Filipino players to numerous risks,” Mr. Tengco said.

He vowed stronger enforcement against such platforms and said that “PAGCOR is committed to strengthening regulation and enforcement to ensure that only legitimate and properly monitored operators are allowed to operate.”

Spain’s most influential sports voice, MARCA, has been confirmed as the Official Media Partner for the Legends Charity Game 2025, holding exclusive coverage rights across the Spanish market.

Set for September 15 in Lisbon, the Legends Charity Game 2025 will bring together football icons for a Portugal Legends vs. World Legends showdown. The match aims to raise €1 million for four selected charities, blending elite sport with a powerful message of unity and social impact, fittingly held in a city set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The Legends Charity Game, organised by Sport Global, will raise funds for four organisations: the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, which continues to provide critical aid amid war; the Portuguese Red Cross, delivering support to communities facing hardship; International Alert, a peacebuilding NGO working in conflict zones worldwide; and Caritas Portugal, which supports vulnerable families facing poverty and displacement.

The pitch will host a lineup of football greats, including Luís Figo, Deco, Nuno Gomes, and Carvalho for the Portugal Legends, and global icons like Kaka, Cafu, Puyol, Michael Owen, Del Piero, and Henrik Larsson for the World Legends.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC Events and Sport Global Group, which organises the Legends Charity Game, said: “With MARCA on board, we’re able to reach millions of fans and drive real impact for the causes this match supports.

“Their reach, especially in Spain and Latin America, will be key to amplifying our message of hope, unity, and charitable giving.”

As the world’s second most visited sports website, MARCA.com stands as a global titan of sports journalism, attracting over 257 million visits in June alone. Known for its authoritative coverage, deep fan engagement, and expansive reach, MARCA’s involvement in the Legends Charity Game guarantees the event will connect with millions of passionate football fans across Spain and the globe.

The match is expected to attract 50,000 fans to Estádio José Alvalade, and reach millions more through an international broadcast and digital livestream. With a world-class production featuring Champions League-style coverage, the Legends Charity Game is set to become one of the most widely viewed and celebrated charity sporting events of the year.

“MARCA’s involvement ensures Lisbon, and the Legends Charity Game will be at the heart of the global football conversation this September,” Sojmark added.

About the Legends Charity Game

The Legends Charity Game brings together the greatest footballers of yesterday for the benefit of tomorrow. With a mission to raise €1 million for charity, the event will unite sportsmanship and purpose on one of Europe’s most iconic pitches. Learn more at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/.

About MARCA

Born in 1938, MARCA has written the history of Spanish and international sports since its beginnings, and its national character defines it as the newspaper for all fans. In addition, it is regarded as the most comprehensive specialized daily, open to all sporting disciplines, and an international benchmark.

In Spain, it is the leading sports daily with 967,000 daily readers in its print edition, according to the second 2025 wave of the Estudio General de Medios (EGM), and with an average daily online audience of more than 3.4 million followers, as reflected in the latest data collected by GfK.

Digitain has entered a new partnership with KingCasino, further solidifying its active role and growing presence in the Romanian market.

Digitain, the leading sportsbook and iGaming solutions provider, proudly announces its latest partnership with KingCasino, marking another step in its Romanian growth journey. This partnership also strengthens Digitain’s footprint across Eastern Europe, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to equipping operators in the region with advanced sportsbook and iGaming solutions.

KingCasino is a fast-growing operator in Romania, offering players a wide range of slots, live casino, and sports betting opportunities. Known for its user-friendly platform, localized offering, and strong customer focus, KingCasino continues to build a loyal player base in the competitive Romanian iGaming landscape.

Through this partnership, KingCasino will gain access to Digitain’s award-winning Sportsbook, featuring thousands of monthly events, as well as Digitain’s Centrivo platform – a state-of-the-art solution for online casino and sports betting operators. In addition, KingCasino will benefit from advanced gamification and built-in bonus engine, real-time tournament engines, and customizable multi-layer progressive jackpots that enhance player engagement, along with access to dozens of casino providers available in the Romanian market.

Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain, commented: “Partnering with KingCasino is not only about expanding our footprint in Romania — it’s about building long-term, value-driven relationships. With a shared ambition for growth and innovation, we are confident this collaboration will deliver outstanding results while contributing to the development of not only local but also global iGaming ecosystem.”

Thanos Karakostas, Head of Product at KingCasino, added: “As a company dedicated to delivering top-tier gaming experiences, we are always looking for ways to innovate and expand across the market. With Digitain’s expertise and advanced solutions, we will further enhance our offerings for players. Their reliable technology and committed team make them a trusted partner, and together we share a vision for excellence and continuous improvement.”

With this latest agreement, Digitain further expands its network of partners across Eastern Europe, reaffirming its position as a trusted technology provider committed to supporting operator growth in regulated markets worldwide.