Integrated resorts and casinos have emerged as key drivers of the Philippines’ tourism and economic resurgence, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Mr. Alejandro H. Tengco said on Friday, October 24.

Speaking during the Exceed Hospitality 2025 forum at SMX Aura in Taguig City, Mr. Tengco said integrated resorts have evolved into “dynamic lifestyle and business hubs” that are reshaping the country’s tourism landscape and creating new opportunities for growth.

“Gaming, entertainment, and hospitality are not separate worlds but interconnected forces that drive growth, create jobs, and enrich the tourism experience,” Mr. Tengco told an audience of tourism stakeholders, business leaders, government officials, and members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

Citing industry data, the PAGCOR chief said the gaming and entertainment sector continues to show strong recovery, with gross gaming revenues rising from US$3.75 billion in 2022 to US$6.5 billion in 2024 – a 75 percent increase in just two years.

To sustain the industry’s growth, Mr. Tengco said PAGCOR has been modernizing its regulatory and operational frameworks while ensuring that operators adhere to principles of responsible, transparent, and sustainable gaming.

Among the agency’s initiatives are the intensified campaign against illegal gambling, stricter rules on gaming-related advertising, and the ban on gambling promotions in public spaces and during primetime hours.

“At PAGCOR, responsible gaming is not just a slogan but a commitment to protect the vulnerable, uphold transparency, and preserve public trust,” he stressed.

He also urged industry players in gaming, tourism and hospitality to adapt to digital transformation and embrace sustainability, in line with the conference theme, “Tourism Rewired. Hospitality Transformed.”

“The future of hospitality is being reshaped by technology and sustainability,” he said. “We must ensure that every guest experience also contributes to local well-being.”

He added that PAGCOR aims to remain not only a regulator but also a catalyst for responsible growth.

“Our collective success depends on finding balance between progress and preservation, profit and purpose,” Mr. Tengco said. “Together, we can build destinations that are not only profitable but also meaningful and inspiring.”

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