PAGCOR emphasizes the contribution of the Philippine gaming industry to tourism and health

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reaffirmed the fundamental role that the regulated gaming industry plays in the Philippines for the development of tourism, health, and national welfare. During the Health & Wellness Conference and Expo (HWONFEX) 2026, held on September 4th, the entity highlighted that its impact goes far beyond sector regulation, financing key projects in priority sectors through collected revenues.

The role of PAGCOR and the integrated gaming industry in national development

Dr. Janice Saraza, interim director of PAGCOR's Health and Wellness Services Department, spoke on behalf of President and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco. Saraza noted that "the industry we regulate is part of a much broader ecosystem of entertainment and tourism". Additionally, she emphasized that the integrated resorts licensed by PAGCOR attract tourism, generate direct and indirect employment, and sustain the economic activity of various ancillary businesses.

The corporation emphasized that this sector not only stimulates tourism, but its revenues also enable the execution of state initiatives in areas such as education, social development, and especially, public health. Such a scheme provides additional resources to programs that would otherwise be beyond traditional budgetary reach.

Gaming funds for health: investments and new partnerships

PAGCOR communicated that it maintains strong collaborations with its integrated casino licensees. These agreements have enabled financing for the construction of modern hospitals, equipping them with advanced medical technology, and facilitating access to health services where most needed in the Philippines. Much of these developments arise as a direct result of revenues from regulated gaming.

Dr. Saraza emphasized: "We have consolidated strategic alliances with our licensees to support the construction of modern hospitals, provide state-of-the-art technology, and increase access to health where it is most needed."

Player protection and promotion of well-being

Beyond revenue collection, PAGCOR insisted on the ethical and social responsibility of the sector. The authority highlighted the importance of maintaining safeguards for player protection and promoting mental and emotional health. In this line, they reported the generation of the National Helpline for Problem Gambling, a result of a new partnership with the organization Seagulls Flock. The initiative offers professional and confidential support 24 hours a day for individuals facing gambling challenges.

Detecting and addressing mental health linked to responsible gaming is an integral part of PAGCOR's welfare policy. The agency assumes that promoting well-being "is not solely the task of a single sector," but a cooperative effort across institutions.

HWONFEX 2026: wellness tourism and intersectoral agenda

HWONFEX 2026 positioned itself as an expo and trade fair that promotes the Philippines as a prominent destination for wellness tourism in Southeast Asia. Under the motto "Go Explore, Grow Communities, Glow Together," the event gathered public agencies, operators, industry stakeholders, and wellness advocates. Their joint mission: to identify synergies for the sustainable growth of the health, tourism, and responsible gaming ecosystem in the country.

PAGCOR's participation in HWONFEX reinforces its strategic commitment to wellness tourism, showcasing how the resources obtained from gaming contribute to both the national economy and the Filipino social and health fabric.