In the third quarter of 2025, operators in the Philippines reported a gross gaming revenue of PHP94.51 billion, according to data released by the Philippine News Agency. This figure shows a slight decrease from the PHP94.61 billion reported in the same period the previous year. The e-games sector, however, showed a notable rise, increasing by 17% to PHP41.95 billion, compared to PHP35.71 billion in the third quarter of 2024. This surge was predominantly driven by high activity in July, before the government implemented a mandatory delinking of e-wallets from licensed iGaming platforms.
Land-based casinos in the Philippines experienced a downturn, with revenue falling by 10.2% to PHP45.56 billion. Meanwhile, casinos under the PAGCOR brand reported an even steeper decline of 11.6%, generating PHP3.22 billion. Bingo operations also faced challenges, with revenue dropping 16.2% to PHP3.79 billion.
Licensed casinos contributed 48.2% of the overall gaming revenue. The e-games sector, which includes e-bingo, e-casino, sports betting, and online poker, accounted for 44.4%. This indicates a significant shift in the gaming landscape, reflecting the growing popularity of electronic games.
The first half of 2025 saw the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) posting a gross gaming revenue of PHP214.75 billion, marking a 26% increase over the previous year. Although land-based casino revenue declined by nearly 6% from 2024, e-games revenue surged by 82.67% year-on-year. This impressive growth, however, raised alarm among anti-gaming advocates, including members of the clergy and some legislators, who expressed concerns about rising addiction levels, particularly among youth and financially vulnerable groups.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri responded to these concerns by introducing Senate Bill 142, the Anti-Online Gambling Act. The proposed legislation aims to shut down all online gambling websites and applications while barring e-wallets and payment service providers from processing transactions related to e-games. “The taxes earned are not worth the social cost,” Zubiri argued, emphasizing the potential damage to society.
Supporting this viewpoint, Erwin Tulfo, part of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, remarked that online gambling poses a significant risk to social welfare. “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 stated firmly.
On the other hand, PAGCOR’s chief, Alejandro Tengco, advocated for stricter regulation instead of an outright ban. He emphasized the regulator’s responsibility to balance industry growth with accountability. “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 response to the growing concerns, the Philippines Central Bank took decisive action in August by instructing e-wallet providers like GCash and Maya to remove links directing users to gambling sites. This move significantly impacted the electronic games sector’s performance towards the end of the quarter. Tengco acknowledged the immediate effects of the delinking, stating that it resulted in a temporary decrease in activity. Nonetheless, he emphasized the necessity of these measures for protecting players and ensuring transparent transactions. “The figures reflect an industry that is adjusting to necessary safeguards,” he noted.
The decision to delink e-wallets from gambling sites received praise from some quarters. Tulfo commended the business sector for its cooperation with government efforts to tackle online gambling addiction. “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. However, he also warned that some online gambling operators might pivot to other mobile applications such as Viber, Telegram, and Lazada to continue their activities.
Tengco strongly advised the public to steer clear of unauthorized platforms, highlighting the associated risks of data theft and fraud. He stressed that such platforms do not adhere to responsible gaming standards nor do they contribute to tax revenues. “They put players at risk of data theft and fraud,” he cautioned.
While the delinking of e-wallets has posed short-term challenges for the e-games sector, it also reflects a broader trend of increasing scrutiny and regulation within the industry. The ongoing debate between the need for regulation and the potential social harms of online gambling continues to shape the future of gaming in the Philippines. As the country navigates these challenges, the importance of finding a balance between economic interests and social responsibility remains at the forefront of policy discussions.
This complex dynamic highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and evaluation of the industry’s impact on society. As the Philippines continues to grapple with these issues, it becomes clear that both industry stakeholders and regulators must work collaboratively to ensure that the benefits of gaming do not come at the expense of social well-being.
4.8/5
