MANILA, Philippines — Integrated resort casinos in the Philippines booked P93.3 billion in gross gaming revenues in the first half, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the country’s integrated casinos accounted for nearly half of the country’s total gaming revenues of P215 billion for the first semester.
“Of the P93.36 billion generated by the integrated resort casinos, P16 billion was paid to PAGCOR as license fees, ensuring funding for government social services and driving the country’s economic growth,” Tengco said.
According to Tengco, integrated resorts not only boost government revenues but also help position the Philippines as a top tourist destination by supporting local enterprises, creating jobs and enhancing the country’s global appeal.
However, he underscored the need to balance growth with regulation, citing the organization’s efforts to curb irresponsible gaming practices. This includes the removal of gambling ads from areas frequented by minors and strengthening advertising guidelines.
“As the gaming industry expands, so must our safeguards,” Tengco said.
“We have taken a firm stance against the proliferation of illegal and unregulated gaming operations that offer no safety nets or protection to players,” he added.
Aside from the ban on billboard advertisements, the gaming company said earlier that gambling-related advertisements would now be banned during primetime television hours from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In 2024, the Philippine gaming industry generated P372.3 billion in gaming revenues. PAGCOR-operated gaming contributed nearly P16 billion, while licensed casinos brought P201.8 billion and other licensees earned P154.5 billion.
According to the sociocultural research firm The Fourth Wall, gross revenues from online gambling in the country are projected to reach P480 billion this year, fueled primarily by a rising number of casual Filipino users opting for regulated platforms
Earlier, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto estimated that the Philippine gambling industry could generate as much as P500 billion in annual revenues, but the government is losing a significant portion of this due to the proliferation of illegal online gambling operations.
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