Online Gaming Becomes Top Revenue Driver as Philippine GGR Climbs to $6.61 Billion in 2025

The Philippine gaming sector posted total gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP396.14 billion ($6.61 billion) in 2025, reflecting a 6.39 percent increase from PHP372.33 billion ($6.21 billion) recorded in 2024, according to a press release issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

This overall growth was largely fueled by strong performance in the online and electronic gaming segment, which more than compensated for declining revenues from traditional land-based casinos. The segment has now emerged as the largest contributor to the industry’s total GGR.

Electronic and online gaming activities — encompassing E-Bingo, E-Games, Bingo Grantees, as well as both onsite and offsite poker — generated PHP201.12 billion ($3.35 billion) in 2025. This represents a significant 30.04 percent increase compared to PHP154.66 billion ($2.58 billion) in the previous year.

“The E-Games and online gaming segment accounted for 50.77 percent of total industry GGR,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco. “It has overtaken licensed casinos as the largest GGR contributor.”

Meanwhile, licensed casinos experienced a downturn, with revenues falling by 9.58 percent to PHP182.50 billion ($3.04 billion), down from PHP201.84 billion ($3.37 billion) in 2024.

PAGCOR-operated casinos saw an even sharper decline, reporting revenues of PHP12.52 billion ($209 million), a 20.95 percent decrease year-on-year.

Tengco noted that the 2025 results underscore a structural shift within the industry, emphasizing the growing dominance of digital platforms.

“The increase in electronic gaming revenues shows how the industry has evolved,” he said. “Online gaming is no longer a supplementary segment but has now become the leading driver of overall GGR growth.”

He also pointed out that the sector’s growth came despite temporary headwinds during the third quarter of 2025, when the de-linking of e-wallets disrupted access for players and affected payment systems.

According to Tengco, subsequent adjustments to digital payment infrastructure were introduced to enhance transaction traceability, improve player protection, and reinforce trust in regulated online gaming platforms.

“The 2025 GGR performance underscores the importance of regulatory balance as the industry evolves,” he said.

“Our objective is not simply to grow revenues, but to ensure that growth is sustainable, transparent, and compliant because of a stronger regulatory environment that supports the long-term stability of the gaming industry.”

By fLEXI tEAM