Philippine Casino Privatization Threatens Universal Health Care Funding

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) plans to sell the 40‑plus Casino Filipino branches to private operators, a move expected to generate P30‑50 billion in proceeds. Under the Universal Health Care Act, PhilHealth currently receives half of the government’s share of Pagcor’s gaming income, amounting to about P3 billion in 2024. Legal analysts at Geronimo Law warn that the privatization could reduce that dedicated stream by P1.7‑2.1 billion a year because the sale proceeds will be treated as asset disposal rather than franchise earnings, and future license fees are unlikely to fully replace the lost revenue.

At the same time, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted Universal Health Care, expanded PhilHealth benefits, and preventive‑care investments in his State of the Nation Address, urging the Philippines to view health as both a social commitment and an economic strategy. The potential funding cut from the casino sale raises concerns about sustaining these health‑sector reforms.

The proposed shift would also transform Pagcor into a purely regulatory body, collecting only licensing fees from private casino operators after the divestiture.