MANILA, Philippines — The permanent ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has significantly impacted the national gaming regulator’s coffers, resulting in a nearly P3-billion loss in gaming revenue for 2025.
According to latest data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), revenues from gaming operations dropped by 2.4 percent to P95.15 billion in 2025, down from P97.53 billion the previous year.
Impact of the Ban The prohibition, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in October 2025, ended a lucrative but controversial segment.
- Social and Security Concerns: The President cited national security threats and high social costs as the primary reasons for the ban.
- Total Revenue Slide: When combined with a slowdown in land-based casino earnings, PAGCOR’s total revenues fell by 5.09 percent to P106.03 billion.
- Land-Based Decline: Earnings from PAGCOR-operated casinos plunged by 18.12 percent, while licensed casinos saw a 4.93 percent dip.
Digital Boom as a Cushion Despite the loss of offshore gaming, a surge in digital and electronic platforms helped stabilize the agency’s overall performance.
- E-Gaming Success: Revenue from electronic and online activities (eGames, eBingo) contributed P53.33 billion—more than half of the total gaming revenue.
- Shift in Behavior: PAGCOR Chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco noted that players are increasingly opting for online platforms over traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.
- Regulatory Upgrades: In response to the digital shift, PAGCOR has tightened its standards, implementing mandatory responsible gaming tools and stricter identity verification processes.
Financial Resilience Even with the dip in total revenue, PAGCOR managed to post a 4.18 percent increase in net income, reaching P17.47 billion for 2025.
- National Contribution: The agency contributed P66.95 billion to government socio-civic programs and sports development—roughly 1.8 percent lower than its 2024 contribution.
- Privatization Goal: Tengco reiterated that the agency is nearing the “endgame” of its plan to privatize its self-operated casinos to focus solely on its role as a regulator.
As the industry continues to pivot toward a more “player-centric” digital model, PAGCOR aims to balance its revenue-generating mandate with enhanced player protection and a more secure, well-regulated online environment in 2026.
