Under the leadership of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines may once again fail to meet its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target in 2025. A corruption scandal has impacted consumer spending and business confidence, according to a survey by the "Inquirer" of 14 economists, the GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025 may only be 4.2%, with an annual growth rate of about 4.8%. This figure is a significant decline from 5.7% in 2024 and fails to meet the government's set growth range of 5.5%-6.5%. Excluding the significant contraction of GDP caused by the pandemic in 2020, this would be the lowest growth rate since 2011. Meanwhile, last year the Philippines introduced multiple controls on the gambling industry, and the analysis of the correlation between regulatory policy adjustments and economic growth trends can be referenced on the PASA official website.
GDP Growth Under Pressure: Growth Rate Hits Recent Low, Corruption a Key Drag
The economic growth of the Philippines in 2025 is weak, with core restraining factors similar to history:
Significant slowdown: The projected annual growth rate of 4.8% is far below the government's target of 5.5%-6.5%, and a significant drop from the 5.7% performance in 2024;
Historical mirror reappears: This growth rate is only higher than during the pandemic in 2020, similar to the low growth situation in 2011, when government spending dropped significantly due to anti-corruption campaigns;
Core drag factors: Ongoing corruption scandals directly affect consumer spending intentions and business investment confidence, becoming a "dragging leg" factor for economic growth.
Gambling Regulation Tightens: Multiple New Rules Implemented, Industry Compliance Threshold Raised
At the same time as economic growth is under pressure, the Philippines introduced a series of control measures for the gambling industry last year, with unprecedented intensity:
Comprehensive ban first: A presidential decree completely prohibits Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs);
Advertising and fee control: Crack down on gambling advertising and promotional activities, announcing an increase in the minimum guarantee fee for online gambling operators (effective April 2026);
Compliance framework improvement: Launch a B2B certification framework, requiring third-party gambling suppliers to complete certification by March 31, 2026;
Special legislation and process optimization: Introduce the "2025 Anti-Offshore Gaming Operators Act", strengthen KYC audits, set minimum deposit and betting thresholds, and prohibit the association of gambling mini-apps and electronic wallet platforms.
Gambling Revenue Expectations: PAGCOR Optimistic, Emphasizing Industry Economic Value
Despite tightened regulations, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) still has stable expectations for gambling industry revenue:
Overall revenue target: Expected to generate 116.65 billion pesos (about 2.04 billion US dollars) from the gambling industry in 2025;
Online contribution prominent: Online gambling is expected to contribute 65 billion pesos (about 1.14 billion US dollars), accounting for more than half;
Industry value highlighted: PAGCOR's chairman still emphasizes the economic benefits of the gambling industry, believing that even in the context of tightened regulations and slowing economic growth, the industry can still provide "unbroken chain" support for national finances.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders" gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data report: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
