Philippine-based gambling revenue was up across the board in 2019, with the notable exception of locally licensed online gambling operators.

Figures released this week by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) show gaming revenue either generated or overseen by PAGCOR hit PhP248.5b (US$4.92b) in 2019, a 15.1% improvement over 2018’s results and nearly 41% higher than the market recorded in 2017.

Total casino revenue was up 15.4% to PhP216.4b, with PAGCOR-operated casinos up a modest 2.7% to PhP36.9b while PAGCOR-licensed private casino revenue surged 18.3% to PhP179.5b. Of that latter figure, PhP165.3b (+17%) was generated by casinos in Manila’s Entertainment City gaming zone.

The private casinos reported solid gains across all verticals, with non-junket revenue up nearly 16% to PhP74.5b, junket-fueled VIP gambling up 18.8% to PhP51b and electronic gaming machines (EGM) shooting up 21.3% to just under PhP54b.