Online Gambling Surpasses Land-Based in Philippine Gaming Revenue for 2025

(AsiaGameHub) –   In 2025, marking a historic first for the Philippine gambling sector, online gambling accounted for more than 50% of the total revenue.

Figures released by the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) on Thursday indicate that total gross gaming revenue rose by 6.39% last year to PHP396.14 billion (US$6.647 billion). From this total, e-games, e-bingo, and online poker generated PHP201.12 billion, equating to 50.77% of the overall figure.

Online gambling “has overtaken licensed casinos as the largest GGR contributor,” according to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.

This pattern emerged in the first quarter of 2025. During that period, which the Philippine Inquirer termed a “stunning revenue shift,” online gambling revenues surpassed those of land-based operations for the initial time. Through March, digital platforms comprised 49.36% of the revenue, while retail casinos contributed 47.32%. The rest came from PAGCOR‑operated gaming halls, which represented 3.31% of total GGR.

“The downturn in land-based casinos is primarily fueled by the evolving behavior of players, with a growing number of customers selecting digital and online gaming platforms,” Tengco commented at that moment. The sector sustained its upward momentum notwithstanding a temporary decline last fall, which ensued after a ban on e-wallet usage for gambling was implemented.

“The 2025 GGR results highlight the necessity of regulatory balance as the industry progresses,” Tengco stated.