In September 2026, the Philippines surpassed Brazil and India to take the top spot in the Blask ranking. The Index reflects user interest in iGaming brands and is calculated from search queries in over 100 countries.
At the same time, this surge has not been matched by revenue growth. According to PAGCOR, the local gambling regulator, Q2 2026 revenue from the Philippine sector fell by over 1/3 YoY.
Major Trends in National Online Interest
Over the past year, the Blask Index for the country has risen 87%, with an 8% increase MoM. In contrast, Brazil’s figure has declined 31% YoY and 9% compared to August, driven by regulatory changes. The state implemented an iGaming ban, so September statistics reflect only the first few days after the restrictions took effect.
In the Philippines, a significant portion of search demand is driven by 3 brands:
- PlayTime;
- BingoPlus;
- Casino Plus.
By June 2026, PlayTime accounted for nearly a quarter of the entire gambling interest in the country. Over the year, attention to the brand grew by a whopping 2,181%.
Market Revenues for the Reporting Period
Despite the rise in search activity, the legal sector’s financial performance shows the opposite trend. In Q2 2026, iGaming GGR in the Philippines reached Php 39.85 billion (approximately USD 675 million), a 37.2% decrease from the same period last year. For comparison, the YoY decline in Q1 stood at 22.4%.
PAGCOR’s statistics cover not only internet casinos but also other sectors, including online poker and bingo. In June, the regulator also warned of a potential drop in total gambling market revenue by the end of 2026, by as much as 19%.
The authority attributes this downturn to 2 primary factors. In August 2025, the central bank prohibited access to online casinos directly through e-wallet applications. Additionally, the crisis in the Middle East has further strained the economy.
Official September statistics have not yet been released. The most recent data available from the institution pertains to Q2.
GGR Estimates and the Illegal Sector’s Share
Beyond search interest, Blask analyses and forecasts gambling market revenue. According to this information, Brazil’s figure is 53% higher than the Philippines'.
There is also a difference in how GGR is distributed between licensed and illicit operators. In the Asian country, certified companies account for 62% of estimated revenue, while the remaining 38% comes from unauthorised brands. In Brazil, companies with official permits hold 97% of the share.
Search Interest and Revenue: Reasons for the Gap
The rise in the Blask Index for the Philippines may be linked to a shift in the user journey. Until August 2025, some online casinos could be accessed directly through e-wallet applications. After the ban was implemented, players now have to search for websites and discover operator names themselves.
At the same time, verbal requests on the Web do not necessarily mean that a gambler has registered, deposited funds, or placed a bet. Consequently, an increased Blask Index does not automatically translate into higher revenue for legal operators.
The country’s top position in the ranking may be partly explained by more visible user searches in statistics, as regulatory shifts have lengthened the path to online casinos. Estimates and PAGCOR’s reports must be viewed separately, as they reflect different facets of the national industry.
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