Despite a sharp decline in Chinese VIP market, Philippines gross gaming revenue posted a double-digit growth in 2015.

According to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) chairman Cristino Naguiat, gross gaming revenue in the Philippines, from government and private-operated casinos, reached PHP130 billion ($2.25b ) in 2015, an increase of 17% from 2014.

Philippine GGR also exceeded its PHP 109 billion ($2.3b) target, set by the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), which monitors the performance of government-owned and -controlled corporations in the country.

Although the gaming revenue posted did not reach Naguiat’s GGR forecast of $3b, he said Philippines gambling sector showed a big improvement despite the business.