E-games behind Phl gaming industry’s P104.12-B Q1 haul

The Philippine gaming sector continued its upward trajectory in the first quarter of 2025, with gross gaming revenues (GGR) climbing over 27 percent year-on-year, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported last week.

PAGCOR said GGR for the January-to-March period reached P104.12 billion, marking a 27.44 percent increase from the same period last year.

“The e-games and e-bingo segment made history by becoming the industry’s top revenue driver for the first time, contributing P51.39 billion or 49.36 percent of the total first quarter GGR,” PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said.

“This represents not just revenue growth but how consumer behavior continues to shift towards digital, on-demand gaming experiences, accelerated by greater access to mobile technology.”

According to Tengco, the surge in e-games signals a transformation in the local gaming environment.

“As digital platforms take center 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,” he said.

Despite a slight dip in revenue, licensed casinos remained a strong pillar of the industry, bringing in P49.28 billion or 47.32 percent of total GGR.

“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,” Tengco said.

“The performance of brick-and-mortar casinos remains critical to industry stability, particularly in tourism-driven hubs such as Entertainment City and Clark.”

Meanwhile, PAGCOR-operated casinos contributed P3.45 billion, or 3.31 percent of the total GGR, highlighting their steady, albeit smaller, role in the overall performance.