Philippine GGR down 16% in Q1
PAGCOR has reported US$1.42bn in gross gaming revenue for the first quarter of the year.
The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has reported that the Philippine gaming industry generated PHP87.60bn (US$1.42bn) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in the first quarter of 2026. The figure was down 15.8 per cent from the PHP104.12bn reported in the same period of 2025.
According to the agency, the decline was largely driven by a weaker performance of the electronic gaming sector, including E-Games, E-Bingo, bingo and poker, which saw a combined 22.43 per cent year-on-year decline in GGR during the January-to-March period.
Alejandro H. Tengco, PAGCOR chairman and CEO, attributed the dip to several factors, including “softer discretionary spending amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and rising inflationary pressures.”
Licensed casinos were the largest revenue contributor during the period, generating PHP44.52bn (US$722.6m) or 50.83 per cent of total GGR. The electronic gaming sector brought in PHP39.9bn (US$647.6m), accounting for 45.55 per cent to the GGR pie. PAGCOR-operated casinos contributed PHP3.17bn (US$51.5m), accounting for 3.62 per cent.
Tengco said he remains optimistic about the future of the local gaming industry as operators continue to invest in integrated resort developments, digital innovation, and responsible gaming initiatives. “We remain hopeful that once the geopolitical tensions stabilise, consumer confidence and discretionary spending will also gradually recover, which should help support improved industry performance,” he said.
“PAGCOR’s PHP5.67bn (US$92m) dividend remittance makes available much-needed fiscal resources that will enable the national government to mitigate the effects of the global oil crisis and pursue programs geared towards meaningful economic and social transformation.”
