The Philippine gaming regulatory body Pagcor has announced that the revenue from online gambling (e-gaming) in the first quarter of 2025 continued to surge, reaching 51.39 billion PHP, accounting for 28% of the total gaming revenue—online revenue has nearly reached the total annual amount of 2023, becoming a significant engine for national fiscal inquiries.
This rapid growth is attributed to regulatory reforms and market drives: under Pagcor's initiative, the offline POGO is gradually phased out, while tax reductions (from 35% to 30%) incentivize licensed online platforms to expand, effectively attracting a large number of users to register and bet frequently. The annual revenue from online gambling in 2024 soared to 154.5 billion PHP, nearly tripling year-over-year; and in the first quarter of 2025, it reached 51.3 billion, equivalent to the total of 2023.
Pagcor Chairman Alejandro Tengco stated that e-gaming and electronic bingo have become the main contributors to the revenue in the first quarter, contributing 51.39 billion PHP, accounting for over 49% of the total revenue. Meanwhile, Pagcor's total revenue in Q1 was 280.7 billion PHP, up 11.2% year-over-year, with a net profit of 42.2 billion PHP, up 23%.
Looking ahead to the full year of 2025, Pagcor expects total gaming revenue to grow by 17%, reaching 450–4800 billion PHP, with online gambling continuing to show strong growth.
However, the online gambling boom also triggers social alarms: issues such as addiction risks, regulatory delays, and capital outflow remain unresolved. Despite the apparent short-term fiscal benefits, experts call for a balance between economic growth and consumer protection to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the gambling industry.
