Online Casinos in the Philippines

Online Casino Is Licensed in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the few markets in Asia with a domestic licensed online casino sector. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation states that "PAGCOR regulates all games of chance and issues licenses to all gaming operations within the Philippine territory." and sets out which department does the online work: "Except for gaming operations of land-based casinos, Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD) is the regulatory arm of PAGCOR over the local gaming operations which offer Traditional Bingo Games, Electronic Bingo (eBingo) Games, Electronic (eCasino) Games, Sports Betting, Specialty Games, Online Poker Games and Numeric Games – i.e., onsite operations of various PAGCOR-licensed gaming venues along with the online operation of their respective online gaming platforms." It adds that "EGLD subsequently issues Gaming Licenses (GL) to qualified Applicants or Operators of gaming sites." PAGCOR's own Gaming Site Regulatory Manual (Electronic Games) defines the terms: electronic games are "virtual games of chance, i.e. casino games, and mixed games of chance and skills", and electronic gaming is "the conduct of electronic games and the taking of wagers through any computer or communication device connected to the Internet".

The licensed platform is tied to a licensed venue rather than free-standing: "Specifically, a Service Provider’s electronic gaming platform and its games must be offered at the gaming venue where its remote/online gaming operation shall be an adjunct service for its registered players." PAGCOR publishes the registers — accredited gaming system administrators with their registered brands and domain names, registered brands and domains of licensed casinos, accredited gaming affiliates and licensees for gaming venue operations — and states of unlisted sites that "Any link that is not posted in the PAGCOR website (www.pagcor.ph) is considered illegal." Which operators hold which licence is a matter for that register.

PAGCOR Regulates and Also Operates

The arrangement is unusual and a reader should know about it. PAGCOR's charter mandate, in its own words, is to "Regulate, operate, authorize and license games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers, particularly casino gaming in the Philippines;". It is not an arm's-length agency: "PAGCOR is a 100 percent government-owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines." It was created by decree — "The state-owned gaming firm was created during the Martial Law years by virtue of a Presidential Decree (PD) 1067-A issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos in response to calls for the Philippine government to put a stop to the growing proliferation of illegal casino operations in various parts of the country." — and "The law creating PAGCOR was later amended and consolidated under PD 1869 otherwise known as the PAGCOR Charter." The charter was then extended and amended: "In June 2007, Republic Act No. 9487 was passed by the Philippine Congress, extending the corporate life of the state-run gaming firm by 25 years, renewable for another 25 years". Alongside regulating, "PAGCOR operates casino branches in major cities across the country’s three major islands." So the body that licenses the market is also a competitor in it.

The Offshore Licensing Regime Was Shut Down

This is the part of the Philippine picture that changed most, and PAGCOR records it on its own Notice to the Public: "Following the issuance of Executive Order No. 74 which mandates the immediate ban of Philippine offshore gaming operations in the country, please be advised that ALL Internet Gaming Licensees and Authorized Providers were cancelled effective December 15, 2024." The notice continues: "Any company or gaming website claiming to hold a valid offshore gaming/internet gaming license from PAGCOR is fraudulent and unauthorized." PAGCOR's chairman restated the position in a public warning: "Mr. Tengco reiterated that effective December 31, 2024, all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in the country have been banned and that previous POGO licensees and service providers that continue to operate are illegal." The warning was issued because "The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today warned the public against illegal offshore gaming websites claiming to be licensed or accredited by the agency." The practical point for a reader: a Philippine offshore or internet gaming licence is no longer something any site can hold, and a site displaying one is displaying a forgery. The domestic licensing regime described above is a different regime and was not abolished with it.

Who May Not Gamble

PAGCOR's Responsible Gaming page lists the categories excluded. They are persons under 21 years of age; persons "included in the National Database of Restricted Persons"; employees of licensees and holders of a Gaming Employment License; and all officials and employees of national and local government, state and local universities and chartered government corporations, plus members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. The scope is explicit: "The persons above are prohibited from entering and playing in any gaming establishment; and playing on any online gaming platform." The stated legal basis is "Presidential Decree No. 1869 (the PAGCOR Charter), as amended by Republic Act No. 9487, and Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 2600111 (Policy on the Prohibition of Gambling Among Government Officials and Employees)." PAGCOR also states that "PAGCOR is committed to ensuring that all gaming establishments and online gaming platforms comply with our Responsible Gaming Code of Practice (RGCP)." and that "This Code aims to minimize harm to players and the community, prevent gambling addiction, and stop underage gambling."

Support in the Philippines

The National Problem Gambling Helpline publishes its own number and terms. Its site states: "The National Problem Gambling Helpline (NPGH) provides confidential, compassionate, and non-judgmental support for individuals experiencing gambling-related concerns, as well as their families and loved ones." The number it gives is "(02) 824 89568", it describes "Confidential. Friendly. Free." and "24/7 support and assistance", and it records its own origin: "The National Problem Gambling Helpline (NPGH) is a joint project of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Seagulls Flock Organization, Inc. (SFO)." It is clear about its limits — "The helpline is not an emergency or crisis intervention service." — and directs urgent cases elsewhere: "If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, is in immediate danger, or requires urgent assistance, please contact emergency services or the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline by dialing 1553 or 1800-1888-1553." PAGCOR separately operates exclusion, and set the programme out in a public warning of 28 December 2022: "A Player Exclusion Program (under the Responsible Gaming Division) likewise provides patrons – who feel that their relatives or themselves are developing a problem with gambling – with the option of barring them from all gaming venues or sites." Its Responsible Gaming page publishes a self-exclusion portal address, with family exclusion open to a spouse, child or parent.