Philippine Gambling Revenue Projected Reaching Pre-Pandemic Levels By 2026

COVID-19 bans and lockdowns affected the gaming industry worldwide, and projections place 2026 as a recovery date for the Philippines, in line with Macau and Singapore estimations.

Return to Normalcy Takes Time
All sectors of the entire hospitality industry were heavily affected by the not-so-recent pandemic and gambling was hit especially hard, as it infuses all elements into a single experience. As part of the gambling industry, tourists often make up a significant stream of revenue, and casinos are often a part of a complex that would also offer lodging and food and beverage in restaurants. Few would argue gaming can be a recreational activity as well, covering all major hospitality sectors. Everyone in the gaming industry was hit hard and places like the Philippines are no exception. However, the news is out that new projections see returning to pre-pandemic gross gaming revenue (GGR) levels by 2026, with the potential to surpass that if the current growth trends continue.

Reuters reported Daniel Cecilio – licensing and regulatory group chief of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) – saying that “Definitely there will be no more lockdowns,” but also stressing that players are still being cautious. Even if tourism picks up, and even if it hits levels higher than pre-pandemic ones, people are still anxious about going on spending sprees and gambling does have a way of attracting risk-takers, making the industry a bit more difficult to predict.

Source: https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/philippine-gambling-revenue-projected-reaching-pre-pandemic-levels-by-2026/