The Philippine gaming industry posted P94.51 billion in gross gaming revenues (GGR) for the third quarter of 2025, virtually unchanged from the P94.61 billion recorded a year earlier, as the sector grapples with sweeping reforms in online gaming and digital payments.

According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Electronic Games (E-Games) segment emerged as the standout performer, surging 17.4% year-on-year to P41.95 billion from P35.71 billion. However, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco clarified that the growth was largely driven by strong July figures, with revenues tapering off in August and September due to the mandatory delinking of e-wallets from legitimate gaming platforms.

“The figures reflect an industry that is adjusting to necessary safeguards,” Tengco said. “The delinking of e-wallets resulted in a short-term decline in activity toward the latter part of the quarter. However, these measures are vital to protect players and ensure secure, transparent transactions.”

Tengco also raised concerns over the proliferation of illegal online gaming sites, which continue to operate outside regulatory oversight. “These unauthorized platforms do not follow responsible gaming standards, do not pay taxes, and put players at risk of data theft and fraud,” he warned. “We urge the public to avoid illegal sites and to engage only with PAGCOR-licensed platforms.”

Outside the E-Games segment, other gaming categories posted declines:

PAGCOR-operated casinos fell 11.6% to P3.22 billion from P3.64 billion.

Licensed casinos dropped 10.2% to P45.56 billion from P50.72 billion.

Bingo revenues slid 16.2% to P3.79 billion from P4.52 billion.

In terms of GGR share, licensed casinos accounted for 48.2%, E-Games 44.4%, bingo 4%, and PAGCOR-operated venues 3.4%.

Despite the downturn in traditional gaming segments and the disruption caused by payment reforms, Tengco expressed optimism about the industry’s trajectory. He believes that as players adapt to new protocols and enforcement against illegal platforms intensifies, the sector will regain momentum.