PH gaming industry grows 26% to P214.75B in H1 2025 — PAGCOR

The country’s gaming industry saw a double-digit growth in terms of total revenues, reaching over P200 billion in the first half of 2025, thanks to continued popularity of online or digital betting among Filipinos.

Data released by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) showed the sector’s gross gaming revenues (GGR) stood at P214.75 billion from January to June 2025, up 26% from P171 billion year-on-year.

This as the electronic gaming sector — composed of e-games, e-bingo, and bingo grantees – continued to outpace traditional or brick-and-mortar gaming with P114.83 billion in gross revenues or 53.47% of total GGR.

Meanwhile, licensed casinos — comprised of integrated resorts and brick-and-mortar casinos in Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, La Union and Rizal — accounted for 43.47% or P93.36 billion of the industry’s GGR.

PAGCOR-operated casinos, moreover, contributed the remaining 3.06% or P6.56 billion to the overall industry performance.

“PAGCOR recognizes the earning potential of the e-games sector, but as the country’s gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability,” said PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco.

“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,” added Tengco.

The PAGCOR chief noted that the gaming industry regulator recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ad Standards Council (ASC) to strengthen the monitoring of gambling-related advertisements across all platforms.

It also recently ordered the takedown of all gambling ads in public spaces and primetime TV by August 15 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,” said Tengco. — BAP, GMA Integrated News