Philippines Gaming Revenue Slightly Dips as E-Wallet Restrictions Hit Online Sector

Philippine gaming operators recorded PHP94.51 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the third quarter of 2025, a marginal decline from the PHP94.61 billion posted in the same period last year, according to figures released by the Philippine News Agency.

The e-games sector saw a 17% increase, generating PHP41.95 billion compared with PHP35.71 billion in the third quarter of 2024. However, much of that growth was driven by strong activity in July, before the mandatory delinking of e-wallets from licensed iGaming platforms took effect.

Revenue from land-based casinos across the country dropped by 10.2% to PHP45.56 billion, while PAGCOR-branded casinos suffered an 11.6% decline to PHP3.22 billion. Bingo earnings also fell sharply, down 16.2% to PHP3.79 billion. Overall, licensed casinos accounted for 48.2% of total revenue, while e-games—including e-bingo, e-casino, sports betting and online poker—contributed 44.4%.

The slowdown followed a strong first half of 2025, when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) reported total GGR of PHP214.75 billion, representing a 26% increase from the previous year. Although land-based casino revenue fell nearly 6% compared to 2024, e-games soared 82.67% year-on-year.

That rapid expansion sparked alarm among anti-gaming advocates, members of the clergy, and several lawmakers who expressed concern about rising gambling addiction, particularly among young and low-income Filipinos. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri responded by filing Senate Bill 142, the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act, which seeks to shut down all online gambling websites and apps and to prohibit e-wallets and payment processors from handling e-games transactions.

“The taxes earned are not worth the social cost,” Zubiri said.

Erwin Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, echoed the sentiment. “As long as online gambling exists, we are breeding the next generation of addicts, debtors and broken families. No amount of tax revenue can justify this human cost,” he said.

In contrast, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco called for tighter regulation instead of an outright ban. “As the country’s gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability,” Tengco said. “We are committed to always strike a balance between enabling industry expansion and ensuring it aligns with responsible gaming standards.”

In August, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ordered e-wallet providers such as GCash and Maya to immediately remove in-app links directing users to gambling sites. The directive dampened electronic gaming performance through September.

“The delinking … resulted in a short-term decline in activity toward the latter part of the quarter,” Tengco acknowledged. “However, these measures are vital to protect players and ensure secure, transparent transactions. The figures reflect an industry that is adjusting to necessary safeguards.”

Tulfo commended e-wallet companies for cooperating with regulators. “This is a sign that the business sector is willing to work with the government in addressing the problem of online gambling addiction,” he said. Still, he cautioned that some illegal gambling operators could migrate to alternative mobile platforms such as Viber, Telegram and Lazada.

Tengco urged the public to steer clear of unauthorized gambling platforms. “They do not follow responsible gaming standards, do not pay taxes and put players at risk of data theft and fraud,” he warned.

By fLEXI tEAM