PAGCOR Postpones New Minimum Guaranteed Fees for Philippine Online Gaming Operators Amid National Energy Crisis

Philippine regulator PAGCOR postpones new minimum fees for online gaming operators to June 2026, citing the impact of the national energy emergency.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 8:39 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from iGB

A Reprieve Amid Economic Turbulence

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) has officially delayed the rollout of its revised payment structure for online gaming operators, citing the pressures of a burgeoning national economic crisis. Initially scheduled to begin in April, the new minimum guaranteed fees (MGFs) will now take effect on June 1. This strategic pause is intended to provide licensed operators with financial breathing room as the country grapples with a significant energy emergency declared by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Impact of Regional Conflict on Local Gaming

The deferment is a direct consequence of the escalating US-Israeli war on Iran, which has severely disrupted global oil supplies and destabilized the Philippine energy market. With national oil reserves estimated at only 45 days, the government has been forced to take drastic measures to ensure the stability of the country’s power and transport sectors. PAGCOR’s board of directors approved the two month extension to help the gaming industry navigate these external shocks without the immediate burden of increased regulatory costs.

Restructuring the Minimum Fee Framework

The new fee schedule, originally announced in December, is designed to overhaul how gaming system administrators (GSAs) contribute to the national treasury. Under the revised plan, administrators offering e-games will be required to pay a minimum of PHP9 million per month, a figure calculated based on an assumed gross gaming revenue of PHP30 million. For those operators without e-game offerings, the monthly rate is set at PHP4 million, ensuring that all participants in the offshore gaming sector meet a baseline level of fiscal responsibility.