The Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced its Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) report for the first half of 2025 on Tuesday, July 29. The regulator reported total revenue of PHP215 billion (approximately €3.23 billion), representing a 26% year-over-year increase.
PAGCOR Reports 90% Spike in Online Gaming Revenue: Drivers of the Growth
- Land-based gaming venues contributed PHP 93.36 billion (approximately €1.39 billion), representing a 5.85% decrease since 2024. Online gambling generated PHP 114.83 billion (approximately €1.84 billion), representing an 82.67% year-on-year increase.
- The economic viability of online gambling could slam the brakes on critics. Senate Bill 142, introduced to Congress in July, proposes to shut down all gambling operations targeting Filipino consumers.
- PAGCOR hails the economies of online gambling while prioritising accountability and growth. The regulator is pushing for regulation over abolition. It recently signed an agreement with the Ad Standards Council to pre-screen gambling commercials before they go live.
Online Gambling on the Rise in the Philippines
The growing prevalence of online gambling activity in the Philippines could fuel criticism about the sector. Gambling operators have recently been in the crosshairs of legislators and activists, who continue to target the industry for its lack of accountability. Critics claim online gambling operators promote addictive behaviour, especially among vulnerable groups like young adults and people suffering from gambling addiction.
Critics also claim that 24/7 access to gambling sites can increase the risk of financial hardship for the vulnerable section of the population. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill seeking a blanket ban on online gambling in the country. If approved by the Filipino Senate, it would put an end to all forms of online gambling in the Philippines, including domestic and offshore platforms.
Senate Bill 142 proposes stern action at an operational level. It mandates internet service providers, digital platforms, and mobile network providers to block access to gambling sites within their jurisdictions. The bill would also prohibit payment system providers from processing all transactions related to online gambling. Senator Zubiri also warned influencers and celebrities from being associated with gambling commercials.
Unsurprisingly, PAGCOR stepped in to emphasise the economic benefits of online gambling. In its latest press release, the organisation posted gross revenue of PHP214.8 billion (€3.23 billion) during H1 2025, a 26% YoY increase. Land-based casinos generated PHP93.36 billion (€1.39 billion).
Online gambling accounted for PHP114.83 billion (€1.84 billion), a massive 82.67% increase over the previous year. The official statement read:
The strong revenue stream enabled the agency to increase its contributions to nation-building to PHP38.1 billion, up 20% from the PHP31.8 billion.
PAGCOR CEO Alejandro Tengco added:
PAGCOR recognises the earning potential of the e-games sector. But as the country’s gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability. We are committed to always striking a balance between enabling industry expansion and ensuring it aligns with responsible gaming standards.
PAGCOR Advocates for Regulating the Sector
While the government is considering an outright ban on online gambling, Tengco is in favour of regulating the sector. House Bill No 1351 or the Kontra E-Sugal bill filed by Akbayan Party List aims to strictly regulate the Filipino online gambling sector and safeguard minors from gambling harm.
The bill aims to limit online gambling access to individuals older than 21 years. It mandates Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols requiring a government-issued ID to ensure compliance. Ewallets and super apps will be banned from promoting and linking their services with online gambling, and a 10% tax on online gambling will be added.
PAGCOR will be in charge of setting daily, weekly, and monthly betting and loss limits to ensure compliance with responsible betting practices. The regulator signed an agreement with the Ad Standards Council on July 16 to pre-screen gambling-related commercials before they go live.
Under the terms of the agreement, all corporate and branded gambling commercials targeting Filipino consumers must be approved by the ASC to prevent misleading content from going live, thus protecting vulnerable groups from the dangers of gambling harm. PAGCOR also ordered the immediate removal of gambling ads from public spaces and primetime television, with a compliance deadline set for August 15.
“These efforts are part of our broader mission to ensure that online gambling is not only well-regulated but also aligned with public interest,” Tengco explained. PAGCOR recently launched a digital platform called PAGCOR Guarantee for players to verify the authenticity of gambling sites before signing up. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to curb the growing menace of illicit online gambling targeting Filipino consumers.