The Philippine gaming sector – including non-casino operations – produced gross gaming revenue (GGR) of PHP104.12 billion (US$1.88 billion) in the opening quarter of 2025, up 27.4 percent from the prior-year period.
The latest first-quarter GGR figure was a new quarterly record, according to data from the country’s casino regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).
The agency said in a Wednesday announcement that the electronic gaming segment – including e-games and e-bingo – was “now leading” in terms of generating revenue in the industry.
Alejandro Tengco, chairman and chief executive of Pagcor, was quoted in the release as saying: “The e-games and e-bingo segment made history by becoming the industry’s top revenue driver for the first time.”
The segment contributed PHP51.39 billion, or 49.4 percent, of the total first-quarter GGR, showed Pagcor data.
Mr Tengco stated: “This represents not just revenue growth but how consumer behaviour continues to shift towards digital, on-demand gaming experiences, accelerated by greater access to mobile technology.”
He added: “As digital platforms take centre 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.”
The country’s licensed commercial-sector casinos generated revenue of PHP49.28 billion, accounting for 47.3 percent of first-quarter GGR. The figure was down 0.9 percent from a year ago.
“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,” said Mr Tengco.
Pagcor-operated casinos – under its network of Casino Filipino venues – brought in PHP3.45 billion in GGR in the three months to March 31, a 26.4-percent decline from a year earlier.
Pagcor expects the nation’s gaming industry – including non-casino operations – to produce GGR of between PHP450 billion to PHP480 billion in 2025, Mr Tengco said in February.
The Philippine casino sector generated GGR of PHP372.33 billion in full-year 2024, up 30.5 percent from the prior year, according to official data.
