Philippine gaming giant Bloomberry Resorts Corporation issued a rare warning in its latest annual report, for the first time listing artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential risk factor for the gaming industry. The report points out that the rapid development of AI technology may lead to a large number of customer service and back-office positions being replaced by automated systems, directly impacting the Philippines' large IT outsourcing industry—which employs about 1.9 million employees and contributes over $40 billion in revenue annually, a crucial pillar of the Philippine economy and consumer market. In plain terms, if these 1.9 million people's livelihoods are taken over by AI, the number of people going to casinos might also decrease.
Employment shockwave: 1.9 million outsourcing positions face the risk of AI replacement
Bloomberry warns in the report that as AI technology permeates corporate operations, many customer service and back-office functions traditionally handled by humans could be replaced by automation systems. This trend will directly affect the Philippine IT outsourcing industry, which not only employs about 1.9 million workers but is also a key force supporting the domestic consumer market. If a large number of jobs are lost, the direct consequence will be a decrease in residents' purchasing power, thereby shrinking the domestic casino market size. The report specifically mentions that the local mass gaming market is still growing, but this group is precisely the consumer segment most susceptible to employment changes.
Digital transformation: Online platforms diverting traffic from physical casinos
The development of AI is also accelerating the digital transformation of the gaming industry. Bloomberry cautions that as more players flock to online gambling platforms, the flow of customers to traditional integrated resorts and casinos might decrease, potentially impacting entertainment cities and the Clark Casino area. To address this competition, the company launched the online gambling platform MegaFUNalo in 2025, aiming to capture the expanding online gaming market. Its main casinos include Solaire Resort Entertainment City and Solaire Resort North, but the company recorded a net loss in 2025, due to a decline in VIP customers and rising operational costs.
External risks compounded: Geopolitical and inflation pressures cannot be ignored
In addition to the structural challenges brought by AI, Bloomberry also points out that global geopolitical risks could also pressure the gaming industry. Energy price fluctuations triggered by conflicts in the Middle East could drive up inflation levels. If inflation remains high over the long term, it will lead to a reduction in residents' disposable income and an increase in business operating costs, further affecting the development prospects of the Philippine gaming industry. Overall, Bloomberry's report sends a clear signal: AI and external risks are quietly reshaping the landscape of the Philippine gaming industry, from employment to customer flow, facing unprecedented uncertainties. Want to know how artificial intelligence is affecting the global gaming industry? PASA official website continues to track industry frontiers.
————
This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gaming industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Gaming original depth channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
