In 2025, in a first for the Philippines gambling industry, online gambling yielded more than half of total revenues.
Data released on Thursday by the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) showed overall gross gaming revenue grew 6.39% last year, to PHP396.14 billion (US$6.647 billion). Of that, e-games, e-bingo and online poker contributed PHP201.12 billion, or 50.77% of the total.
Online gambling “has overtaken licensed casinos as the largest GGR contributor”, said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.
The trend began in first-quarter 2025. Then, in what the Philippine Inquirer called a “stunning revenue shift”, online gambling first overtook land-based. Digital platforms accounted for 49.36% of the haul through March, versus 47.32% from retail casinos. The remainder came from PAGCOR‑operated gaming halls, which accounted for 3.31% of total GGR.
“The decline from land-based casinos is largely driven by the gradual change in player behaviour, with more customers opting for digital and online gaming platforms” Tengco observed at the time. The sector continued its upward trajectory despite a brief drop last fall, following a ban on the use of e-wallets for gambling purposes.
“The 2025 GGR performance underscores the importance of regulatory balance as the industry evolves,” Tengco said.
Marjorie Preston
Marjorie began her gaming career in 2007 and has focused on Asian gaming markets since 2020. Outside of work, she writes about travel and film and plays the drums.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino-games/philippines-online-gambling-edged-land-based-for-revenue-in-2025/
