Eu3+-activated R3GaO6 (R=Y, Gd) phosphors were prepared in a conventional solid-state reactionand their optical properties were investigated. These compounds exhibit strong red emission under lightexcitation at 254nm. The emission spectra are dominated by peaks appearing around 610-630nm that areinduced by the electric dipole transition of 5D0→7F2 of Eu3+. In addition, the appropriate CIE (CommissionInternationale de l’clairage) chromaticity coordinates, (x=0.656, y=0.336) for Y3GaO6 and (x=0.655, y=0.334)for Gd3GaO6, become closer to the NTSC (National Television System Committee) standard values. With theoptimized activator concentrations, the maximum emission brightness is approximately 80% of Y2O3:Eu3+typical red-emitting phosphor with improved color purity under an excitation condition of 254nm.