Casinos in the Clark region generated PHP14.54 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) during the first half of 2024. This figure marks an 11.9 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) released this data as part of its latest industry performance report.
Clark, located in Pampanga province, already hosts several casino properties. More integrated resorts are expected to open in the coming years, further cementing the region’s role in national gaming.
Hann Philippines Inc., the developer behind Hann Casino Resort, continues to push expansion. It is currently building out the ambitious Hann Reserve development. This property will feature three 18-hole golf courses, a mix of luxury hotels, private villas, and branded residences.
In December 2023, construction began on a Banyan Tree-branded hotel at the Hann Reserve site. By July 2024, Hann Philippines also announced a 250-room InterContinental-branded hotel would join the project, boosting its hospitality lineup.
Meanwhile, Clark’s growth has attracted more investor interest. In mid-July, PAGCOR confirmed to GGRAsia that it received a new application for a casino resort project in the area. Although PAGCOR did not reveal the applicant’s name, media outlets pointed to Premium Leisure Corp. The company, which has a stake in City of Dreams Manila, reportedly plans to invest at least US$300 million in a Clark-based resort.
Clark’s strong growth came even as the country’s overall licensed casino GGR experienced a modest dip. While Clark posted double-digit gains, the rest of the market faced some headwinds.
Licensed commercial-sector casinos remained the top contributors to Philippine GGR. They generated nearly PHP99.17 billion from January to June 2024. However, this amount reflected a 6.3 percent year-on-year decline, based on PAGCOR’s data.
Manila’s Entertainment City—a major hub for large-scale integrated resorts—saw its total GGR drop by 11.4 percent. In the first half of 2024, these resorts posted PHP79.42 billion in earnings, down from the previous year.
PAGCOR-operated casinos under the Casino Filipino network also faced a downturn. These properties generated PHP8.90 billion in the first six months of 2024, reflecting an 11.6 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023.
Despite the dip in some sectors, the broader Philippine gaming market still recorded substantial growth. Including non-casino verticals, total GGR reached PHP170.94 billion in the first half of 2024. This represented a strong 25.4 percent increase from the previous year.
That growth came primarily from electronically-delivered gaming. The segment surged by 531.6 percent year-on-year, reaching PHP53.34 billion in GGR. It clearly showed growing player interest in digital formats.
In addition, PAGCOR reported a net income of PHP6.56 billion for the first half of 2024. That marked a staggering 121.5 percent increase from 2023, driven by strong performance in both digital and land-based operations.
With Metro Manila showing signs of saturation, Clark’s rise appears timely and strategic. Opening more resorts outside the capital helps decongest the Manila market. At the same time, this trend fosters healthier competition, potentially leading to better player incentives and promotions—especially in the online gaming space.
Clark’s performance offers a promising sign for the decentralization of the Philippine casino landscape. If momentum continues, the region could become the country’s next major gaming and entertainment hub.
