The Philippine gaming industry recorded a total gross gaming revenue (GGR) of Php214.75 billion ($3.75 billion) in the first six months of 2025. The main driver of this growth was the continued rise of the domestic eGames sector, which, for the first time ever, surpassed the $2 billion mark, according to the latest data from PAGCOR.
Last week, PAGCOR reported that the GGR from licensed Philippine casinos had reached Php93.4 billion ($1.65 billion) in the first half of 2025. On Tuesday, the regulator clarified that the eGames sector, which includes E-Games, E-Bingo, and Bingo, generated Php114.83 billion ($2.0 billion) between January and June, accounting for 53.47% of total GGR.
The Philippine industry-wide GGR of Php214.75 billion for the first half of the year grew 26% year-on-year and, based on previously released information, suggests that gaming revenues reached Php110.63 billion ($1.93 billion) in the second quarter of 2025 – 6.3% higher than in the previous quarter. Licensed casinos accounted for 43.4% of the total for the first half.
Casinos directly operated by PAGCOR added Php6.56 billion ($115 million), representing 3.1% of the industry’s total, the regulator noted.
In comments accompanying the Philippines’ 1H25 GGR results, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco acknowledged recent moves to regulate online gaming better.
“PAGCOR recognizes the earning potential of the eGames sector, but as the country’s gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability,” he said.
“Our role goes beyond revenue generation, and as partners of the government in nation-building, we are committed to always strike a balance between enabling industry expansion and ensuring it aligns with responsible gaming standards.
Tengco noted that his agency recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ad Standards Council (ASC) to strengthen the monitoring of gambling-related advertisements across all platforms and recently ordered the takedown of all gambling ads in public spaces and primetime TV by 15 August this year.
“These efforts are part of our broader mission to ensure that online gambling is not only well-regulated but also aligned with public interest,” he explained.
Recent calls for online gaming to be banned nationwide were not mentioned by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
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