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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider Philippine gaming sees turning point as e-games overtakes casinos in revenue

Philippine gaming sees turning point as e-games overtakes casinos in revenue

Published May 7, 2025 04:55 pm

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) reported that the local gaming industry’s gross gaming revenues (GGR) increased by 27 percent to ₱104.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco noted that the first-quarter surge marks “a critical turning point in the sector with electronic gaming now leading revenue generation.”

For the first time, the e-games and e-bingo sector was the top contributor to the industry’s total revenues for the period. It generated ₱51.4 billion or 49.4 percent of total gross revenues in the January-to-March period.

“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,” Tengo asserted.

Tengo also pointed out that the rapid growth of the e-games sector has significantly transformed the Philippine gaming industry.

“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, traditionally the industry’s top earners, earned ₱49.3 billion in the first quarter, 47.3 percent of total revenues.

“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,” 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,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pagcor-run casinos earned ₱3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025, contributing 3.3 percent to the industry’s total gross gaming revenues.

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