Riley Grant 
The gambling industry in the Philippines is expected to grow strongly in 2026, thanks to new casinos opening, more international tourists visiting, and higher interest from local players. Analysts predict that gross gaming revenue could go over $7 billion, making the Philippines Asia’s second-largest gaming market after Macau. This growth follows PAGCOR’s record results in …
The Philippines’ Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has intensified its operations against the promotion of unauthorized online gambling, releasing a list of influencers and digital accounts alleged to be involved. According to the agency, which is working in partnership with the digital advocacy group Digital Pinoys, the list has been turned over to the …
In response to growing concerns over the adverse effects of iGaming, the Philippine Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, will initiate a formal investigation into the industry. This probe aims to assess the consequences of online gambling and guide legislative decisions on several pending bills that propose tighter controls or …
During a recent Senate session in the Philippines, the Committee on Games and Amusement issued a show-cause directive to Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook’s Parent Company) for failing to attend a pivotal hearing focused on the surge of illegal online gambling activities across social media. The inquiry follows the government’s earlier crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming …
Despite a nationwide prohibition, the Philippines continues to grapple with the enduring popularity of online cockfighting, known locally as e-sabong. The country-wide ban, declared initially by former President Rodrigo Duterte in response to a series of disappearances and alleged murders tied to match-fixing, has failed to extinguish the digital gambling phenomenon. Enforcement Challenges and Legislative …
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero reaffirmed that the Senate will deliberate on measures calling for either a total ban or stricter regulation of online gambling in the Philippines. Escudero, a critic of the online gambling industry, stated, “In banning POGOs over foreign-linked gambling, shouldn’t we be equally concerned about local activities?” He noted that three …
Due to growing concerns, Philippine legislators are drafting a measure to restrict the use of e-wallets on online gambling platforms. Lawmakers have noted the simplicity of depositing funds and placing bets via digital finance applications. Philippine Representative Jonathan Keith Flores worries that features such as seamless pop-ups with integrated gambling links are making it excessively …
Senate President Francis Escudero is calling for a review of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGO) service, saying there should be a greater concern about the industry’s impact on residents. Escudero believes that the inland operators have benefited from the controversies surrounding the Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGO) industry and have mainly gone unnoticed. However, …
Philippine authorities are raising the alarm that an increasing number of nationals are being lured outside the country with the promise of a job in the offshore gambling market. The country banned the controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program last year and implemented its plan in January 2025. The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (PBI) …
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% …