The Philippines gaming industry recorded combined gross gaming revenues of Php214.75 billion (US$3.75 billion) in the first six months of 2025, buoyed by the ongoing rise of the domestic online gaming (eGames) sector which surpassed US$2 billion for the first time ever, according to latest information from PAGCOR.
Having announced last week that GGR from the Philippines licensed casino sector had reached Php93.4 billion (US$1.65 billion) in 1H25, PAGCOR revealed Tuesday that the eGames sector – composed of E-Games, E-Bingo and Bingo grantees – generated gaming revenues of Php114.83 billion (US$2.0 billion) between January and June, representing 53.47% of all GGR.
The Philippines’ industry-wide GGR of Php214.75 billion in H1 was up 26% year-on-year and, based on previously released information, suggests gaming revenues hit Php110.63 billion (US$1.93 billion) in the June 2025 quarter, up 6.3% sequentially. Licensed casinos comprised 43.4% of the first half total.
PAGCOR-operated casinos added Php6.56 billion (US$115 million), representing 3.1% of the overall industry performance, the regulator said.
In comments accompanying the Philippines’ 1H25 GGR results, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco acknowledged recent moves to better regulate online gaming.
“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 (SONA) on Monday.
