Philippines regulator’s H1 revenue shows e-games still rule, growing almost 90%

Byline

30th July 2025 | By Marjorie Preston

Summary

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) posted first-half 2025 gross gaming revenue (GGR) of PHP214.75 billion (around $3.72bn), a 26% increase year-on-year. The standout is e-games (online gambling), which produced PHP114.83 billion — up 82.67% — and now account for more than half of total GGR. In contrast, land-based casinos fell to PHP93.36 billion, down 5.85% versus 2024.

Key Points

• PAGCOR H1 2025 GGR: PHP214.75 billion, up 26% year-on-year.
• E-games revenue surged 82.67% to PHP114.83 billion, now over 50% of total GGR.
• Land-based casino revenue fell 5.85% to PHP93.36 billion.
• PAGCOR increased contributions to nation-building to PHP38.1 billion, sending PHP25.36 billion to the National Treasury for infrastructure, health, education and social services.
• Rising e-games income has intensified scrutiny: lawmakers, clergy and activists warn of addiction and social harm, especially among youth and poorer communities.
• Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri introduced Senate Bill 142 to ban iGaming for Filipino users, requiring ISPs, MNOs and platforms to block access and forbidding payment providers from processing e-games transactions.
• PAGCOR favours tighter regulation over outright bans and has taken steps such as a pre-screening agreement with the Ad Standards Council and orders to remove gambling ads from public spaces and primetime TV by 15 August.
• Proposed House Bill 1351 would impose a 10% tax on e-games, limit advertising and restrict payment methods to fund addiction treatment and recovery.

Context and relevance

The figures signal a structural shift in the Philippines gambling market towards online play. Rapid e-games growth is driving substantial public revenue but also sparking a policy backlash. Policymakers are now weighing heavy-handed measures — including outright bans — against stricter regulation, taxation and advertising limits. The outcome will matter to operators, payment providers, advertisers and regulators across Asia, and could influence how other jurisdictions tackle online-gambling harms versus economic benefit.

Author’s take

Punchy reality check: this isn’t just a revenue story — it’s a political one. E-games have become the cash engine for PAGCOR, funding major public programmes, yet the boom has put the sector squarely in the crosshairs of lawmakers and civil society. If you work in payments, compliance, gaming or public policy, the direction regulators take here will be worth watching — it could set precedents.

Why should I read this?

Because it’s the fastest way to understand why the Philippines has become a focal point for the global debate on online gambling. Big money is flowing in, and the pushback is getting real — this story tells you where revenue, regulation and reputational risk collide, saving you the time of sifting through the original filings and bill texts yourself.