First quarter industry gross gaming revenue (GGR) in the Philippines totaled PHP68.9 billion ($1.24 billion), up by 5.4 percent from the previous quarter and up by 76 percent yearly.
The results were announced by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Thursday.
The vast majority of casino gaming revenue came from privately operated casinos, totaling PHP54.2 billion ($973 million) during the quarter. Private sector GGR for 2022 topped PHP168 billion ($3.02 billion).
Privately operated casinos include Manila’s Entertainment City, the Clark Freeport Zone, and Fiesta Resort Casino.
GGR generated from Entertainment City’s four integrated resorts (IRs) – City of Dreams Manila, Newport World Resorts, Okada Manila and Solaire – rose 69 percent to PHP45.4 billion ($810 million) in 1Q23, according to data released by PAGCOR.
Clark casinos saw an even bigger growth, with revenues increasing 175 percent to PHP8.3 billion ($149 million). Fiesta has a small market share, contributing PHP422 million ($7.57 million) to the total.
PAGCOR-operated casino revenue totaled (excluding Bingo) PHP5.13 billion ($92 million) in 1Q23, up by 6.2 percent from 4Q22 and up by 96 percent yearly.
The results come as the country benefits from rises in visitation after the easing of entry requirements and the dropping of a mask mandate.