The Philippine gaming industry recorded a strong start to 2025, with gross gaming revenues (GGR) reaching PHP104.12 billion ($1.88 billion) in the first quarter, a 27.44 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
This surge marks a critical turning point in the sector, with electronic gaming now leading revenue generation, indicated Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.
“The E-Games and E-Bingo segment made history by becoming the industry’s top revenue driver for the first time, contributing PHP51.39 billion ($927 million) or 49.36 percent of the total first quarter GGR,” stated Tengco.
“This represents not just revenue growth but how consumer behavior continues to shift towards digital, on-demand gaming experiences, accelerated by greater access to mobile technology,” he added.
The PAGCOR chief also noted that the rise of the E-Games industry has drastically reshaped the Philippine gaming landscape.
“As digital platforms take center stage, the Philippine gaming industry is likewise undergoing a paradigm shift. Hence, our goal as a regulator is to strike the right balance between innovation, player protection and long-term industry sustainability,” he said.
Licensed casinos, which have historically dominated the GGR landscape, generated PHP49.28 billion ($889 million), accounting for 47.32 percent of the industry’s total.
“While there was a minimal dip in revenues from licensed casinos compared to last year’s figures due to growing digital competition, this segment shows sustained strength and relevance,” Chairman Tengco said.
“The performance of brick-and-mortar casinos remains critical to industry stability, particularly in tourism-driven hubs such as Entertainment City and Clark.”
Meanwhile, PAGCOR-operated casinos generated PHP3.45 billion ($62 million) in revenues, making up 3.31 percent of the GGR.
