In Q1 2025, online gambling in the Philippines reached 0.68% of GDP. This figure is almost 7-fold from the 0.1% recorded 1.5 years ago.
The state has become a world leader in the share of iGaming in the economy. For comparison, in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the UK, this parameter usually ranges from 0.04% to 0.3%. The Philippines' result is considered one of the highest worldwide, demonstrating the rapid growth of the web entertainment sector.
Impressive Surge in the Digital Segment
In the reporting period, GGR for the entire industry skyrocketed 27% yearly to $1.84 billion.
Other figures for the 1st quarter:
- offline casinos generated 47.3% of the overall revenue;
- online games and bingo accounted for almost half of the total — 49.4%;
- internet gambling alone grew 110% YoY to $834 million, outpacing ground venues.
The turning point came in Q4 2023, when the web vertical’s earnings nearly tripled to $325 million. Since then, the niche has been growing steadily, averaging 21% per quarter. The surge coincided with a crackdown on POGOs and illegal casinos that catered to overseas VIP clients.
New Regulatory Measures
The sharp rise of iGaming has caused a public and political uproar. Stricter market regulation measures are now being discussed in different circles.
Among the considered initiatives are:
- blocking access to e-wallets for players;
- increasing the minimum bet from $0.35 to $87−175;
- introducing a new 10% tax in addition to the current fees of 40−45%;
- listing operators on the Philippine Stock Exchange to enhance transparency.
PAGCOR, the state’s gambling regulator, has also demanded the removal of all outdoor niche advertising, including banners and billboards.
The further development of the online entertainment sector depends on the government’s approach to its regulation. Despite its initial attempts to introduce stricter rules in industry oversight, the country’s population and potential investors show strong interest in the local digital segment.
Filipinos' Attitude Towards Gaming
The Fourth Wall, a market research firm, surveyed citizens about their viewpoints on the sphere. The results showed that safety and legitimacy are the top priorities for the nation when choosing a platform. Many users have abandoned street gambling and unregulated websites.
Only about 7% of players continue to play at brick-and-mortar casinos. This shift points to the rise of certified iGaming portals and a growing interest in safe entertainment conditions.
The research agency also asked people about their opinion on the possibility of banning all niche platforms, including licensed ones, by the government.
The answers were as follows:
- 53% of respondents oppose such a decision;
- only 18% of the entire studied pool supports the measure;
- 75% of players said restrictions would only push them to offshore brands.
Additionally, the survey examined audience behaviour and risk profiles. In total, 36% consider themselves moderate gamblers who control spending and very rarely resort to loans. At the same time, 12% were estimated as a vulnerable category, as they place frequent bets and borrow money simultaneously.
National Opinion on Regulators
The survey demonstrated the following results:
- for 73% of Filipinos, the presence of a supervising body in the market is important;
- 61% positively evaluate PAGCOR’s work in protecting player rights and ensuring fairness;
- only 34% of respondents doubt the effectiveness of the industry regulatory body.
The study shows that oversight is not only about enforcing the rules, but also about evoking audience confidence. Citizens value the feeling of safety related to legal operators.
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