The Philippine gambling industry is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a substantial revenue increase in 2025. The electronic gaming market and the future expectations of integrated casino resorts drive this anticipated revenue expansion.
In 2024, the Philippine gambling industry achieved a historic milestone, recording gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP410.5 billion, a 25% increase from the previous year. Building upon this momentum, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) forecasts that GGR will rise between PHP450 billion and PHP480 billion in 2025, representing a potential 17% year-on-year growth.
Electronic Gaming
A significant contributor to this upward trajectory is the rise of electronic gaming called e-gaming. This segment encompasses online casino games and internet-based bingo, which have witnessed a considerable increase in popularity.
In 2024, e-gaming revenues surged by 309.2%, reaching PHP135.7 billion. PAGCOR anticipates that this sector will continue its rapid ascent, potentially matching the GGR of traditional brick-and-mortar casinos within the next two to three years.
New Integrated Resort Plans
Integrated resorts also remain central to the industry’s expansion. These multifaceted complexes combine luxury hotel accommodations, entertainment venues, and state-of-the-art gaming facilities.
The Entertainment City region, along with Metro Manila, has consistently attracted both domestic and international players. The opening of new casino-style resorts, such as Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, is expected to further bolster GGR, with projections estimating an additional PHP125 billion in revenue for 2025.
Several other casino resorts are currently under construction and could open as early as Q3 of 2025.
Online Gambling In The Philippines
In addition to state-licensed iGaming from PIGOs (Philippine Inland Gaming Operators), legal online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites can also accept PH players.
Over the years, online sites from outside the country have become the go-to source for many players, as they can find bigger bonuses, more games, and the acceptance of digital currencies. Residents outside of the Manila area have often found online casinos more convenient, with more significant rewards and faster processing times.
Today, both PIGOs and offshore casinos are legal in the Philippines. The one drawback to online casinos from outside the country is that most sites do not accept the Philippine Peso; however, currency exchange services and digital assets alleviate most of those worries.
Current PH gambling laws do not address the use of offshore casinos and sportsbooks and have left the players the power to choose how and where they want to bet their money online.