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The Philippine gaming industry posted Php94.51 billion in gross gaming revenues (GGR) in the third quarter of 2025, a slight dip from the Php94.61 billion a year earlier as the industry adjusts to online reforms and tighter rules on digital payments.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said the Electronic Games (E-Games) segment remained the strongest performer, rising 17.4% to Php41.95 billion from Php35.71 billion year-on-year.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco noted, however, that the E-Games growth was mainly due to strong July 2025 numbers as revenues in August and September declined following the mandatory delinking of e-wallets from legitimate gaming platforms.

“The figures reflect an industry that is adjusting to necessary safeguards,” he said. “The delinking of e-wallets resulted in a short-term decline in activity toward the latter part of the quarter,” he said. “However, these measures are vital to protect players and ensure secure, transparent transactions.”

He also cautioned that while legitimate operators strictly comply with the new rules, illegal online gaming sites continue to expand aggressively, putting players at risk.

“These unauthorized platforms do not follow responsible gaming standards, do not pay taxes, and put players at risk of data theft and fraud,” Mr. Tengco said. “We urge the public to avoid illegal sites and to engage only with PAGCOR-licensed platforms.”

Outside of E-Games, all other gaming segments registered lower earnings during the third quarter.

PAGCOR-operated casinos recorded an 11.6% decline from Php3.64 billion to Php3.22 billion, while licensed casinos fell 10.2% from Php50.72 billion to Php45.56 billion. Bingo revenues likewise slid 16.2% from Php4.52 billion to Php3.79 billion.

In terms of GGR share, PAGCOR-operated gaming venues generated 3.4% of the GGR pie while licensed casinos brought in 48.2%. E-Games contributed 44.4% and bingo operations accounted for 4% of GGR during the quarter in review.

Despite the downward trend in some gaming segments and adjustments in the online digital payment ecosystem, Mr. Tengco expressed confidence that the industry would regain momentum as players adapt to new e-wallet protocols while authorities strengthen enforcement measures against illegal gambling portals.

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New tools help merchants in regulated industries react faster to fraud, reduce losses, and streamline dispute resolution through the xpate merchant portal.

Fraud and chargebacks continue to weigh heavily on high-risk sectors, with fraudulent chargebacks making up more than half of all disputes worldwide. In this context, xpate, the all-in-one payments and banking hub, has launched new fraud and dispute management automation features to help merchants in regulated industries manage risk in real time, minimize financial losses, and simplify dispute handling.

With regulated industries facing fast-moving fraud patterns and complex dispute environments, xpate’s automation tools give merchants operational control, enabling them to identify, manage, and resolve potential fraud and chargebacks directly within the xpate merchant portal. Automated notifications ensure timely responses and consistent adherence to acquirer and network requirements.

“xpate’s mission is to simplify every part of the payment process, including the moments that require extra protection,” said Mike Shafro, CEO of xpate. “By automating fraud alerts and dispute processes, we’re removing friction and giving merchants back valuable time to focus on growth.”

The launch comes at a time when chargeback values in these industries average nearly $100 per case, underscoring the need for faster, automated solutions to protect revenue and maintain compliance. xpate’s real-time fraud notifications from card schemes and issuers give merchants an early chance to act before a chargeback occurs, for example, by issuing a refund to avoid penalties and protect their dispute ratios. Automated alerts ensure merchants respond within strict timeframes, helping them stay ahead of acquirer and card network requirements.

xpate has also introduced a fully integrated dispute workflow within its merchant portal. Merchants can now manage every stage of a dispute in one place, from reviewing new chargebacks and collaboration requests to submitting evidence or accepting liability. Larger operators can feed xpate’s notifications directly into their internal automation systems to streamline processing at scale.

“Every minute counts when it comes to collaborations, disputes, and fraud. Automation means our merchants can react in minutes, not days,” said Alex Fedorov, Senior Product Manager at xpate. “Whether they prefer to manage disputes manually or let xpate handle them, they now have full visibility and control.”

The new automation capabilities reflect xpate’s broader goal of simplifying payments and back-office operations for businesses of all sizes. xpate focuses on removing complexity rather than adding to it, a principle that continues to set the company apart as it develops solutions shaped by real merchant needs. In fast-moving, highly regulated industries where compliance requirements change quickly, xpate takes a practical, forward-looking approach to risk management and regulation, adapting to new standards instead of outdated industry barriers.

xpate is reshaping how businesses move money across borders. Founded in Riga and operating across Europe, xpate provides a single payments platform that connects banks, cards, and alternative payment rails, allowing merchants, marketplaces, and financial institutions to manage transactions and compliance in one place. With built-in orchestration and account management, it enables merchants to route, reconcile, and manage payments across multiple banks and payment rails. The company is among the first non-bank institutions with direct access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), giving clients faster and more transparent settlements.

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