Privatization of Casino Filipino Could Cut Healthcare Funding by Up to $34.1M Annually, Study Warns
2026-07-28
Source: Yogonet
A study by Geronimo Law warns that privatizing Casino Filipino could reduce annual funding for the Philippines' Universal Health Care program by up to $34.1 million, as PAGCOR transitions to a purely regulatory role and proceeds from the sale are not allocated to healthcare.
A legal analysis from Geronimo Law has projected that the planned privatization of Casino Filipino may strip the Philippines' Universal Health Care (UHC) program of between PHP 1.7 billion (US$27.6 million) and PHP 2.1 billion (US$34.1 million) in annual contributions. The July 22 report examines the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.'s (PAGCOR) proposed separation of its commercial and regulatory roles, a move intended to improve governance and cut operational costs.
Under the current system, PAGCOR's remittances to the national treasury are partially directed to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. under Republic Act 11223. In 2024, Casino Filipino delivered PHP 3.02 billion (US$49.0 million) to the UHC program, followed by PHP 2.47 billion (US$40.1 million) in 2025. The firm warns that after privatization, PAGCOR would act solely as a regulator, relying on license fees rather than direct casino revenue to sustain such contributions.
“We estimate a recurring loss to universal health care of about P1.7 billion per year to P2.1 billion post-privatization, assuming 2024 and 2025 revenue figures,” the law firm stated in its report. To compensate for the shortfall through license fees alone, privatized branches would need to more than triple their gross gaming revenue, according to Geronimo Law.
PAGCOR currently holds a legislative franchise to operate Casino Filipino until July 2033. The sale of roughly 40 Casino Filipino branches is planned for late 2026 through 2027, with the full functional separation of the agency targeted by 2028. While PAGCOR has projected privatization proceeds of PHP 30 billion (US$487.1 million) to PHP 50 billion (US$811.8 million), Geronimo Law noted that none of that purchase price would flow to the UHC program because the earmark applies exclusively to gaming income.