The Philippine gaming industry generated gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP87.60 billion ($1.42 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, down 15.87 percent from the PHP104.12 billion ($1.69 billion) recorded in the same period last year, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The decline was largely driven by the weaker performance of the electronic gaming sector, which includes E-Games, E-Bingo, bingo, and poker. The segment posted a combined 22.43 percent year-on-year decline in GGR during the January-to-March period.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the first quarter performance reflected the impact of economic headwinds and evolving market conditions.
“We attribute the first quarter dip to several factors, including softer discretionary spending amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and rising inflationary pressures,” Tengco said.
Licensed casinos emerged as the industry’s largest revenue contributor during the period, generating PHP44.52 billion ($722.6 million), or 50.83 percent of total GGR.
The electronic gaming sector brought in PHP39.90 billion ($647.6 million) in gross gaming revenues during the quarter, accounting for 45.55 percent of the GGR pie. PAGCOR-operated Casino Filipino contributed PHP3.17 billion ($51.5 million), accounting for 3.62 percent of total GGR.
Tengco said he remains optimistic about the future of the local gaming industry as operators continue to invest in integrated resort developments, digital innovation, and responsible gaming initiatives.
“We remain hopeful that once the geopolitical tensions stabilize, consumer confidence and discretionary spending will also gradually recover, which should help support improved industry performance,” he said.
He added that PAGCOR’s PHP5.67 billion ($92 million) dividend remittance makes available fiscal resources that will enable the national government to mitigate the effects of the global oil crisis and pursue programs geared toward economic and social transformation.
