VIPPH and the Impact of Licensed Online Gaming in the Philippines
Licensed online gaming in the Philippines plays a crucial role in the national economy, with platforms like VIPPH leading the sector. Local reports indicate that an outright ban could risk over 50,000 jobs, highlighting the importance of regulated digital gaming operations for both employment and government revenue.
In 2024, licensed operators contributed more than PHP112 billion (US$1.96 billion) to national coffers, including PHP16.6 billion allocated for healthcare and PHP46.32 billion remitted as dividends to the treasury. Experts such as Tonet Quiogue, CEO of Arden Consult, emphasize that illegal, unregulated gambling poses the real threat, while legal platforms like VIPPH follow strict safeguards, including KYC, age verification, self-exclusion tools, and real-time monitoring.
Lawmakers in the Philippines, including Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Christopher Go, have proposed bans on online gambling. However, Alejandro Tengco, chairman of Pagcor, stresses that better regulatory oversight, rather than prohibition, is the optimal solution. Licensed operators already raise US$1.8 billion yearly for public services through operator fees, demonstrating their critical role in sustainable economic growth.
Regulatory measures continue to evolve, with Pagcor and the Ad Standards Council (ASC) signing a memorandum to pre-screen all gambling-related advertisements across media platforms. Additional government considerations include stricter rules, potential 10% taxes, and mandatory stock listing for licensed online gaming companies. VIPPH remains compliant with these regulations, ensuring safe and transparent online gaming experiences.
While social concerns have been raised by figures such as Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, VIPPH demonstrates how a responsible, licensed online gaming platform can balance social responsibility, player protection, and revenue generation for the Philippines.