Licensed casinos in the Philippines, including those in Manila’s Entertainment City and in Clark, generated gros gaming revenues of Php49.3 billion (US$890 million) in the first three months of 2025 – very slightly down on the same period last year and 5.1% lower than in the December 2024 quarter.
However, total GGR grew by 27.4% year-on-year to Php104.1 billion (US$1.88 billion) thanks to the continued surge in the E-Games segment, according to information from PAGCOR. The regulator also revealed that E-Games has for the first time become its main revenue driver in Q1.
“The E-Games and E-Bingo segment made history by becoming the industry’s top revenue driver for the first time, contributing Php51.4 billion (US$927 million) or 49.36% of the total first quarter GGR,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO, Alejandro Tengco.
“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.
“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.”
Licensed casinos generated 47.3% of total GGR for the quarter while PAGCOR-operated casinos generated Php3.45 billion (US$62 million) in revenues, making up 3.3%.
“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.”
PAGCOR last week reported net income of Php4.22 billion (US$75.6 million) in 1Q25, up 23% year-on-year due to higher gaming revenues and a significant fall in operating expenses.