PAGCOR income seen to drop 91%
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is estimating a 91-percent decline in full-year net income this year, as the Middle East crisis and the removal of e-wallet links to online gambling platforms sapped gambling activity.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) anticipates a 91% decrease in its full-year net income for 2026, falling to P1.66 billion from the previous year's P17.47 billion, according to the gaming regulator's statement to lawmakers. Total income is forecasted to drop by 18% to P86.95 billion, down from P106.03 billion in 2025.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco cited the removal of e-wallet links to online gambling platforms following a Senate request as a contributing factor to the weaker outlook, resulting in a 40% decline in gaming activities. The Middle East crisis further dampened gambling activity, affecting both land-based casinos and online gaming, particularly impacting users from lower income classes C, D, and E. However, tourist patronage at integrated resorts is showing a slight upward trend, offering hope for a recovery.
PAGCOR expects a rebound in 2027, with net income increasing by 14.8% year-on-year to P1.91 billion, and total revenues reaching P88.34 billion. The gaming regulator aims to allocate around P63 billion for nation-building activities and may benefit from additional revenue through the Special Class of Business Process Outsourcing, estimated at P2.5 billion to P3 billion.
However, PAGCOR faces an estimated P37-billion retroactive liability to the Philippine Sports Commission due to a Supreme Court ruling requiring the agency to remit five percent of its gross annual income.
Written by urgent.news from Philippine Star Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
