The Philippines’ gaming industry could face a decline in gross gaming revenues of up to 19% in 2026 – primarily due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, according to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.
Speaking with local media this week, Tengco said he expects GGR to fall to between Php320 billion to Php350 billion (US$5.20 billion to US$5.69 billion) this year compared with the record Php396.1 billion (US$6.44 billion) reported in 2025.
While some of this decline is attributable to lower online gambling revenues because of the de-linking of licensed platforms from e-wallets – which contributed to a 22.4% fall in segment GGR to Php39.6 billion (US$643 million) in 1Q26 – Tengco stated it is “primarily because of the Middle East crisis. Prior to this crisis, the online gaming segment has already overtaken the land-based casinos, but we are not seeing the same after the Middle East crisis,” he said, as quoted by BusinessWorld.
“The class lower C segment and the upper D are the ones who are affected now by the crisis and before placing their bets or playing online, they would make sure that they eat. They are able to buy the basic necessities.”
BusinessWorld also cited comments from Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes, Senior Research Fellow at Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development, who stated that the industry will continue to face challenges in the short-term.
“Gaming revenues are likely to remain somewhat subdued in the near term, particularly while inflation stays elevated, and consumer spending remains cautious,” he said. “Several factors suggest the environment could stay challenging over the next few quarters.
“Higher fuel and transport costs are squeezing household disposable income, reducing spending on nonessential activities such as gaming.”
Peña-Reyes added that slower economic growth and weak consumer confidence would specifically impact gaming volumes in the mass market – especially in online and electronic segments.
“The electronic gaming segment, which was previously the main growth driver, contracted considerably in the first quarter, indicating that even digitally driven demand is becoming sensitive to macroeconomic stress,” he explained.
Despite the challenging environment, Tengco said the recent improvement in visitor arrivals to the Philippines – including arrivals from mainland China – could provide a welcome spark.
“Tourism is on the upswing. I heard that there is now an uptick in the tourism sector. Definitely, that will help, that will bring in customers to the integrated resorts or land-based casinos,” he said.
“I heard [Chinese visitation] is increasing because of this 14-day no-visa policy.”
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