The Philippine gaming industry posted a nearly 16-percent drop in gross gaming revenues (GGR) in the first quarter of 2026 as weaker consumer spending slowed activity in the electronic gaming segment that had driven industry growth in recent years.
Industry GGR declined to P87.60 billion in the January-to-March period from P104.12 billion a year earlier, according to data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The contraction was largely driven by weaker performance in electronic gaming operations — including E-Games, E-Bingo, bingo, and poker — which recorded a combined 22.43-percent year-on-year decline in revenues during the quarter.
The electronic gaming sector had been the industry’s primary growth engine, fueled by rising digital adoption and the rapid expansion of online gaming platforms.
But the sharp slowdown in the first quarter highlighted the impact of softer household spending amid economic uncertainty.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and persistent inflationary pressures weighed on discretionary consumer spending, affecting gaming demand.
“We attribute the first quarter dip to several factors, including softer discretionary spending amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising inflationary pressures,” Tengco said.
Licensed casinos emerged as the industry’s top revenue contributor, generating P44.52 billion or 50.83 percent of total GGR during the quarter.
Electronic gaming operations contributed P39.90 billion, accounting for 45.55 percent of industry revenues despite the decline.
Tengco said the industry remains optimistic about long-term growth prospects as operators continue investing in integrated resorts, digital innovation, and responsible gaming initiatives.
