The Philippines’ integrated resorts generated gross gaming revenues of Php93.4 billion (US$1.65 billion) in the first six months of the year, accounting for around 43.4% of the local gaming industry’s GGR according to information from Alejandro Tengco – the Chairman and CEO of gaming regulator PAGCOR.
Tengco provided the update during a welcome address as hospitality seminar Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 on Thursday, where he talked up the important role the country’s IRs play in driving tourism.
The figures do, however, highlight the current challenges faced by the Philippines’ licensed casinos because – based on PAGCOR’s 1H25 revenue numbers – their combined GGR actually fell by 10.6% quarter-on-quarter to Php44.1 billion (US$778 million) in Q2.
The 43.4% share of industry-wide GGR was also down from 47.3% in the March 2025 quarter, impacted by the decline of the VIP gaming segment since the POGO industry was banned and the growing contribution of domestic online gaming, or eGames.
Nevertheless, Tengco observed in Thursday’s address the significance of the Philippines’ integrated resort casinos.
“We have seen time and again how a thriving hospitality sector can drive employment, fuel trade, revive local enterprises and bridge communities,” he said. “And nowhere is this more evident than in the huge tourism contributions from our licensed integrated resort casinos within and outside Metro Manila.”
Tengco added that IRs paid Php16 billion (US$282 million) to PAGCOR in license fees in 1H25, “ensuring funding for government social services and driving the country’s economic growth.
“Their contributions are concrete examples of how tourism, hospitality and gaming – when aligned and responsibly managed – become a catalyst for national resilience and progress.”
Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 is organized by the Philippine Hotel Owners Association.
