Philippines 1Q GGR reaches US$1.88bln, e-games take the lead: Pagcor
The Philippine gaming sector – including non-casino operations – produced gross gaming revenue (GGR) of PHP104.12 billion (US$1.88 billion) in the opening quarter of 2025, up 27.4 percent from the prior-year period.
The latest first-quarter GGR figure was a new quarterly record, according to data from the country’s casino regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).
The agency said in a Wednesday announcement that the electronic gaming segment – including e-games and e-bingo – was “now leading” in terms of generating revenue in the industry.
Alejandro Tengco, chairman and chief executive of Pagcor, was quoted in the release as saying: "The e-games and e-bingo segment made history by becoming the industry’s top revenue driver for the first time."
The segment contributed PHP51.39 billion, or 49.4 percent, of the total first-quarter GGR, showed Pagcor data.
Mr Tengco stated: "This represents not just revenue growth but how consumer behaviour continues to shift towards digital, on-demand gaming experiences, accelerated by greater access to mobile technology."
He added: "As digital platforms take centre 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."
The country’s licensed commercial-sector casinos generated revenue of PHP49.28 billion, accounting for 47.3 percent of first-quarter GGR. The figure was down 0.9 percent from a year ago.
"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," said Mr Tengco.
Pagcor-operated casinos – under its network of Casino Filipino venues – brought in PHP3.45 billion in GGR in the three months to March 31, a 26.4-percent decline from a year earlier.
Pagcor expects the nation’s gaming industry – including non-casino operations – to produce GGR of between PHP450 billion to PHP480 billion in 2025, Mr Tengco said in February.
The Philippine casino sector generated GGR of PHP372.33 billion in full-year 2024, up 30.5 percent from the prior year, according to official data.
Pagcor Forecasts Full-Year GGR of PHP450–480 BillionPagcor expects continued momentum for the rest of 2025, projecting full-year GGR between PHP450 billion and PHP480 billion, driven largely by strong performance in digital gaming and stable demand across licensed casino operations.
In 2024, the gaming sector recorded PHP372.33 billion in full-year GGR, a 30.5% increase from 2023.
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