The Philippine iGaming industry is entering a period of rapid development as operators navigate stricter regulations, rising competition, and new technology. At the same time, telecommunications providers are becoming increasingly important in supporting customer verification and digital security.
According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the country’s gaming industry generated a record PHP372.33 billion ($6.06 billion) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024, an increase of 30.5 per cent from the previous year. The e-games and e-bingo segment contributed PHP154.51 billion ($2.52 billion), highlighting the growing importance of digital gaming in the market.
Speaking at SiGMA Asia 2026, John Paul Joya, Country Head at Laaffic, said both industries are evolving together. “We are in a very interesting stage right now because telecommunications and iGaming is evolving at the same time,” he said.
Competition intensifies across the sector
The growing number of gaming operators has increased competition across the market. Joya noted that customer acquisition has become more challenging as operators compete for the same player base.
As competition rises, operators are also facing greater regulatory scrutiny. Companies are expected to strengthen consumer protection measures, improve anti-money laundering (AML) controls, and adopt responsible gambling practices.
Joya stressed that compliance must be embedded throughout the organisation. “You need to make sure that your operations know about compliance, AML,” he said.
The industry’s growth has coincided with increased regulatory attention. Authorities have intensified efforts to strengthen oversight of gaming activities, placing greater emphasis on compliance, consumer protection and financial transparency.
Strong AML and KYC frameworks are essential
AML and know your customer (KYC) requirements remain key priorities for regulated operators. According to Joya, effective risk management begins with customer registration and extends throughout the customer lifecycle.
“You have to start with the registrations, you have to start with the digital payments, and you have to start monitoring their transactions, their betting patterns, their geo inconsistencies,” he explained.
Monitoring customer activity helps operators identify suspicious behaviour and reduce fraud risks. Joya also highlighted the importance of layered monitoring and internal governance structures to support compliance efforts.
He added that compliance awareness should extend across departments to ensure businesses can maintain positive relationships with regulators, vendors, and customers.
Telecommunications plays a critical role
Reliable telecommunications infrastructure has become an important part of the online gaming experience. Joya pointed to one-time password (OTP) verification as a key factor in customer onboarding.
“For telecommunications, we have to make sure that we have a reliable and secure verification system because it starts with OTP,” he said.
According to Joya, even small delays can affect business performance. “A simple delayed OTP will lose you customers. It will drop your conversions. It will drop your retention.”
As digital services expand, seamless verification processes are becoming increasingly important for both operators and customers.
Building lasting client partnerships
In a fast-moving market, strong client relationships depend on reliability, transparency, and responsiveness. Joya said service providers must deliver results while adapting quickly to changing regulations.
“If there would be changes in the regulations and we did not follow it, the penalty will be on the client side,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of consistency and support. Companies that position themselves as long-term partners rather than just vendors are more likely to strengthen client relationships and support business growth.
Industry set for further expansion
Looking ahead, Joya expects the Philippine iGaming sector to become more structured and internationally recognised over the next three to five years.
“One of the top companies here in the Philippines have already expanded. They expanded in Africa, they expanded in Brazil,” he said.
Joya anticipates additional opportunities for affiliate networks, technology providers, and licensed operators as a result of stricter rules. Additionally, artificial intelligence is expected to play a greater role in operations and customer engagement.
“There will be more regulations, stricter regulations. This is something positive for our industry,” Joya said.
As the industry adapts to tighter regulation and continued technological innovation, PAGCOR expects the sector’s growth trajectory to continue. The regulator has projected gaming revenue to reach between PHP450 billion ($7.32 billion) and PHP480 billion ($7.82 billion) in 2025, driven largely by continued growth in electronic gaming and digital platforms.
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