Philippine gaming revenues plunge over 20% as e-gaming segment takes hit
The Philippine gaming industry’s gross gaming revenues (GGR) fell by more than a fifth to ₱88.1 billion in the second quarter of the year amid weaker electronic gaming revenues and renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Data released on Monday, Aug. 10, by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) showed that industry-wide GGR dropped from ₱110.6 billion recorded in the same period last year.
Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alejandro H. Tengco attributed the contraction primarily to weaker earnings in the electronic gaming segment, alongside broader macroeconomic pressures.
“The decline was driven by several factors, including the impact of inflation and the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, which weighed on consumer spending, particularly on discretionary activities,” Tengco said.
Licensed casinos remained the largest contributor to total revenues during the quarter, generating ₱45.4 billion, or more than half of overall GGR.
The electronic gaming sector—comprising e-games, e-bingo, bingo, and poker—contributed ₱39.9 billion, accounting for 45.2 percent of the industry total. Meanwhile, state-operated casinos run directly by Pagcor generated ₱2.9 billion, representing 3.3 percent of total GGR during the period.
Despite the downturn, Tengco expressed optimism regarding the sector's long-term recovery, citing ongoing operator initiatives to enhance services, leverage technology, and strengthen responsible gaming safeguards.
“Pagcor remains committed to implementing measures that will help increase GGR and further strengthen the industry’s performance,” Tengco said. “We will continue working with our stakeholders to ensure that the gaming industry remains a meaningful contributor to nation-building.”
Last month, Tengco reported that Pagcor’s total revenues fell by more than a quarter in the first half of 2026 due to softer earnings across gaming operations. (Derco Rosal)