PAGCOR Adjusts 2026 Revenue Outlook After Online Gaming Shifts
Drew Braun · Aug 25, 2026
PAGCOR Adjusts 2026 Revenue Outlook After Online Gaming Shifts
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has outlined total income projections of PHP86.95 to 87 billion for 2026, which represents an 18 percent reduction from the PHP106.03 billion recorded in 2025, and Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco delivered these figures during a congressional budget hearing where he connected the expected slowdown to a roughly 40 percent contraction in online gaming activity after e-wallets were disconnected from platforms following a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directive along with effects from the Middle East crisis on select market segments.
Those who reviewed the presentation noted that the agency still intends to sustain its contributions toward nation-building initiatives even with the lower totals, and the numbers reflect adjustments that began after regulatory changes took hold earlier in the period.
Details Behind the Projected Figures
Revenue estimates for the coming year sit at PHP86.95–87 billion, a clear step down from the prior year's PHP106.03 billion total, and the 18 percent decline stems directly from reduced online gaming volumes that followed the delinking of e-wallets as required by the central bank order, while additional pressure came from the Middle East situation affecting particular customer groups.
Officials presented the data in the budget session, and Tengco pointed out that peak gaming periods later in the year could support a rebound, which would help offset some of the earlier shortfalls without altering the overall contribution commitments to public projects.
Regulatory and Market Factors at Play
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directive prompted the removal of e-wallet connections from gaming platforms, and this step produced an immediate drop of approximately 40 percent in online activity according to the figures shared at the hearing, while broader economic ripples from the Middle East conflict hit certain segments and compounded the revenue pressure.
Those who track gaming trends observed that such policy moves often create short-term disruptions before operators and users adapt, yet the agency continues to monitor these shifts closely as part of its regular reporting cycle.
Agency Plans and Recovery Outlook
PAGCOR has stated it will keep supporting nation-building efforts at substantial levels despite the dip, and Tengco conveyed optimism that stronger performance during the later peak season could improve the final results, with the projections serving as a baseline rather than a fixed ceiling.
Data shared in the hearing showed the combined impact of the e-wallet changes and regional market effects, and the agency expects to track monthly results against these targets while maintaining operational stability across its licensed operations.
Context of the Congressional Presentation
The budget hearing provided the formal setting for these disclosures, where lawmakers received the updated income range of PHP86.95–87 billion alongside explanations of the 18 percent year-over-year decline, and Tengco outlined the specific drivers without revising the agency's long-term funding role for public initiatives.
Observers at the session noted the emphasis on both the challenges from the 40 percent online gaming reduction and the potential for later recovery, which together shape the current forecast as presented.
Conclusion
The projections released by PAGCOR establish a clear path for 2026 revenue at PHP86.95–87 billion after accounting for the documented online gaming contraction and external market pressures, and the agency has signaled its commitment to ongoing contributions while watching for seasonal improvements that could narrow the gap with the previous year's PHP106.03 billion total. Related industry statistics remain available through official channels at pagcor.ph for those seeking further context on the reported figures.