TLDR PAGCOR forecasts nearly PHP87 billion in income for 2026, down from PHP106 billion in 2025 The delinking of e-wallets from online gambling sites cut game activity by about 40% The Middle East crisis added economic pressure on middle and working class gamblers Peak season and rising tourism at integrated resorts may help income recover later in the year PAGCOR plans to set aside PHP61 billion for nation-building projects in 2026 and PHP63 billion in 2027
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. expects to bring in close to PHP87 billion in income this year. That number is lower than what the agency earned in 2025, when it reported PHP106 billion.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco shared the forecast during a congressional budget hearing. He said online gambling activity slowed down for a few different reasons.
E-Wallet Changes Slow Online Gambling
One major factor was the delinking of e-wallets from online gambling sites. Tengco said this made it less convenient for people to play, and games dropped by around 40% as a result.
He said online gambling had actually picked up in early 2026. But that early growth did not translate into stronger income once the e-wallet changes took effect.
Tengco also pointed to the Middle East crisis as a factor. He said most online gamblers come from the C, D, and E income brackets, which cover middle-income and working-class households.
These groups felt the economic effects of the crisis more directly. That made it harder for online gambling activity to fully recover, even after the early-year uptick.
The PHP87 billion forecast represents an 18% drop compared to last year’s income. PAGCOR expects the shortfall to total around PHP19.08 billion.
Tourism and Peak Season Could Lift Income
Even with the lower forecast, Tengco said there is room