Philippines iGaming rules: PAGCOR licenses domestic online e-games, sports betting and bingo; offshore POGO/IGL gaming banned since 2024.
Licensing model
Mixed
Minimum age
21
Currency
PHP
Licence types
5
On this page
Key points for operators and suppliers
1
Online gaming is legal only via PAGCOR-accredited platforms adjunct to a licensed land-based gaming venue
2
Game content providers, aggregators and support service providers need their own PAGCOR accreditation; GSAs may only use accredited B2B providers
3
PAGCOR Share on GGR ranges from 15% to 30% by game offering, plus a 10% audit fee on the share
4
Minimum Guaranteed Fee for GSAs applies from 2026-07-01 (PHP 9m per month for GSAs with electronic casino games)
5
Offshore (POGO/IGL) licences were cancelled effective 2024-12-15 and PAGCOR says no offshore licences are valid
What the Philippines asks of a licensee
The four questions that decide whether a market is worth entering.
RequiredSeparate B2B supplier licence1 supplier licence type
RequiredLocally incorporated entity
Not statedServers or data held locally
Not statedLocal domain or landing page
PAGCOR, a government-owned corporation under the Office of the President, both operates casinos and licenses private gaming under PD 1869 as amended by RA 9487. Domestic online play is permitted only as an online gaming platform attached to a PAGCOR-licensed physical gaming venue, covering electronic casino, electronic and traditional bingo, sports betting, specialty, numeric and online poker games for registered players aged 21+. Platform operators (Gaming System Administrators) and B2B providers such as game content providers, aggregators and support service providers must hold PAGCOR accreditation, with a transition that ended in 2026. Offshore gaming aimed at foreign players (POGO/IGL) was banned under Executive Order No. 74, and PAGCOR cancelled all internet gaming licences effective 2024-12-15.
Which verticals are legal in the Philippines
Status is the position for a licensed operator, not for offshore supply.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Not stated
Esports Betting
Not stated
Horse Racing / Pool Betting
Not stated
PAGCOR sports betting definitions include international horse racing; domestic racing rules were not verified.
Land-based Casino
Licensed
Land-based casinos are operated by PAGCOR (Casino Filipino) or licensed by PAGCOR, including integrated resorts.
Online Bingo
Licensed
Traditional Bingo and Electronic Bingo games are licensed by PAGCOR and may be played online by registered players.
Online Casino
Licensed
Electronic Casino Games may be offered online only through a PAGCOR-approved online gaming platform attached to a licensed gaming venue.
Online Lottery
Not stated
PAGCOR licenses Numeric Games, which must not use PCSO lottery draw equipment; status of online lottery itself was not verified.
Online Poker
Licensed
Online Poker Games is a PAGCOR game offering under EGLD.
Online Sports Betting
Licensed
Sports Betting (live and virtual sports) is a PAGCOR game offering available on licensed online gaming platforms.
Retail Betting
Licensed
Game offerings including sports betting are played on-site at PAGCOR-licensed gaming venues.
Skill Games
Not stated
PAGCOR Specialty Games may be games of chance and/or skill based on traditional Filipino games; a general skill-game regime was not verified.
Social / Sweepstakes Casino
Not stated
Philippines licence types and what they cost5
Fees are the published headline figures. Tiered and revenue-banded amounts
are set out in the notes under each licence.
Accreditation as Gaming Affiliate (Game Content Provider / Game Aggregator)
Game / Software Supplier
Game content providers (including live-dealer/data streaming providers) and game aggregators supplying games to PAGCOR-accredited GSAs.
Application
PHP 250,000
Annual
—
Term
2 years
Processing
—
GCP: PHP 250000 per game offering, valid 2 years, renewal PHP 250000 every 2 years; Game Aggregator: PHP 250000 per type of service; performance cash deposit PHP 1000000 per GCP or per type of service.
Conditions to satisfy
Probity check
PHP 1m performance cash deposit
Supply only to PAGCOR-accredited GSAs
Foreign GCP may appoint a local entity or GSA as exclusive distributor
Foreign live-dealer providers need a studio or branch in the Philippines and a Permit to Hold
Accreditation as Gaming System Administrator (GSA)
Platform / Technical
Companies that provide and run the electronic gaming system and online gaming platform (brand) for licensed gaming venue operators; formerly called Gaming System Service Providers.
Application
PHP 5,000,000
Annual
—
Term
—
Processing
—
Accreditation fee PHP 5000000 per game offering; performance cash deposit PHP 25000000 for one game offering or PHP 50000000 for two or more; Minimum Guaranteed Fee from 2026-07-01 (see taxes).
Payment gateway/payment channel, marketing/promotional, customer service, KYC/membership system and independent game testing laboratory providers contracted by GSAs or licensees.
Application
PHP 250,000
Annual
—
Term
2 years
Processing
—
PHP 250000 per type of service (valid 2 years, renewal PHP 250000); independent game testing laboratory PHP 500000; performance cash deposit PHP 1000000 per type of service.
Conditions to satisfy
Probity check
PHP 1m performance cash deposit per service type
Serve only PAGCOR-accredited GSAs
Gaming License for Gaming Venue Operations (Standard Gaming License)
B2C Operator
Operators of land-based gaming venues outside casinos; the licence covers each game offering and allows an online gaming platform for the venue's registered players.
Application
PHP 200,000
Annual
—
Term
3 years
Processing
—
Per game offering: application PHP 300000 (valid 3 years) for electronic bingo/electronic casino games and PHP 200000 (valid 2 years) for other offerings per schedule; renewal PHP 200000 per offering every 2 years; inspection and processing fees PHP 50000 per offering; performance cash deposit PHP 100000 to 1000000 depending on offering.
Unified Gaming License (UGL) for Gaming Venue Operations
B2C Operator
Optional alternative to separate per-offering licences: one licence for a gaming venue offering multiple game offerings.
Application
PHP 1,200,000
Annual
—
Term
3 years
Processing
—
Application PHP 1200000 (valid 3 years); renewal PHP 800000 every 2 years; performance cash deposit PHP 2000000 per gaming venue; other fees as for standard licences.
Conditions to satisfy
Minimum 25 terminals each for electronic bingo and electronic casino games
25 seats for traditional bingo if offered
1 terminal each for sports betting, specialty, numeric and poker
Accreditation as Gaming Affiliate (Game Content Provider / Game Aggregator)
Game / Software Supplier
Game content providers (including live-dealer/data streaming providers) and game aggregators supplying games to PAGCOR-accredited GSAs.
Application
PHP 250,000
Annual
—
Term
2 years
Processing
—
GCP: PHP 250000 per game offering, valid 2 years, renewal PHP 250000 every 2 years; Game Aggregator: PHP 250000 per type of service; performance cash deposit PHP 1000000 per GCP or per type of service.
Conditions to satisfy
Probity check
PHP 1m performance cash deposit
Supply only to PAGCOR-accredited GSAs
Foreign GCP may appoint a local entity or GSA as exclusive distributor
Foreign live-dealer providers need a studio or branch in the Philippines and a Permit to Hold
Accreditation as Gaming System Administrator (GSA)
Platform / Technical
Companies that provide and run the electronic gaming system and online gaming platform (brand) for licensed gaming venue operators; formerly called Gaming System Service Providers.
Application
PHP 5,000,000
Annual
—
Term
—
Processing
—
Accreditation fee PHP 5000000 per game offering; performance cash deposit PHP 25000000 for one game offering or PHP 50000000 for two or more; Minimum Guaranteed Fee from 2026-07-01 (see taxes).
Gaming License for Gaming Venue Operations (Standard Gaming License)
B2C Operator
Operators of land-based gaming venues outside casinos; the licence covers each game offering and allows an online gaming platform for the venue's registered players.
Application
PHP 200,000
Annual
—
Term
3 years
Processing
—
Per game offering: application PHP 300000 (valid 3 years) for electronic bingo/electronic casino games and PHP 200000 (valid 2 years) for other offerings per schedule; renewal PHP 200000 per offering every 2 years; inspection and processing fees PHP 50000 per offering; performance cash deposit PHP 100000 to 1000000 depending on offering.
Unified Gaming License (UGL) for Gaming Venue Operations
B2C Operator
Optional alternative to separate per-offering licences: one licence for a gaming venue offering multiple game offerings.
Application
PHP 1,200,000
Annual
—
Term
3 years
Processing
—
Application PHP 1200000 (valid 3 years); renewal PHP 800000 every 2 years; performance cash deposit PHP 2000000 per gaming venue; other fees as for standard licences.
Conditions to satisfy
Minimum 25 terminals each for electronic bingo and electronic casino games
25 seats for traditional bingo if offered
1 terminal each for sports betting, specialty, numeric and poker
Payment gateway/payment channel, marketing/promotional, customer service, KYC/membership system and independent game testing laboratory providers contracted by GSAs or licensees.
Application
PHP 250,000
Annual
—
Term
2 years
Processing
—
PHP 250000 per type of service (valid 2 years, renewal PHP 250000); independent game testing laboratory PHP 500000; performance cash deposit PHP 1000000 per type of service.
Conditions to satisfy
Probity check
PHP 1m performance cash deposit per service type
Serve only PAGCOR-accredited GSAs
Gaming tax and regulatory charges
Everything a licensee pays in the Philippines on top of the licence fee.
Charge
Rate
Charged on
Paid by
Audit FeeLevy / Contribution
10%10% of the PAGCOR Share (not applied to on-site locally linked gaming machines)
% of GGR (on-site and online): electronic casino games 30%; electronic bingo 25%; traditional bingo 20% (from January 2026); sports betting 15% live sports / 30% virtual sports; specialty and numeric games 15% live-streamed / 30% RNG-based; online poker 15% of total collection. IR licensees meeting conditions: max 22% for electronic casino/RNG games.
What the PAGCOR expects once a licence is granted.
AML & KYC requirements
AMLC compliance supervised by PAGCORAll Licensees
Gaming venue operators must follow Anti-Money Laundering Council rules as implemented and supervised by PAGCOR's AML Supervision and Enforcement Department (PASED); breaches are penalised under the offenses framework.Source
Player registration and IDB2C Operator
Players must present a valid government photo ID and provide full name, birth date and place, nationality, addresses, contact details, ID number, nature of work, source of income and a recent photo.Source
Probity checks for B2B providersB2B Supplier
GSAs and B2B providers undergo probity checking under the PASED Probity Checking Framework, carried out by PAGCOR's Investigation and Verification Department.Source
Responsible Gambling requirements
Help centre link and national helplineAll Licensees
Platforms must link to PAGCOR-recognised problem-gambling help centres, and licensees are asked to feature the 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline (02) 8248-9568 in promotions and collaterals.(02) 8248-9568Source
Minimum age and prohibited playersB2C Operator
Operators must bar persons under 21, students, government officials connected with gaming operations, AFP/PNP members, GEL holders, unregistered players and anyone in the NDRP.21Source
NDRP integration and exclusion checksB2B Supplier
GSAs must integrate PAGCOR's National Database of Restricted Persons into their systems via PAGCOR API and block excluded players from registering or playing; licensees must keep NDRP data synchronised and confidential.Source
Player betting limitsB2B Supplier
The electronic gaming system and online platform must let players set daily, weekly and/or monthly betting limits.Source
Technical & Certification requirements
Game approval and RTPB2B Supplier
Games must be approved by EGLD and comply with the prescribed return-to-player range and minimum bet per game offering; gaming machines must be certified by testing laboratories.Source
Mandatory B2B accreditationB2B Supplier
All B2B providers (game content providers, aggregators and support service providers) contracted by GSAs or licensees must be PAGCOR-accredited; non-accredited systems face decommissioning from 2026-08-01.Source
Online platform as adjunct to a venueB2B Supplier
Only accredited GSAs may run online gaming platforms, and only as an adjunct service to licensed land-based gaming venues; players' funds are attributed to their designated venue.Source
Data & Hosting requirements
Data privacy complianceB2C Operator
Gaming venue operators must comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) as supervised by PAGCOR's data privacy section.Source
Payments requirements
Minimum initial depositB2C Operator
A minimum buy-in or initial deposit of PHP 500 is required on registration to play electronic games.PHP 500Source
No third-party fundingAll Licensees
Funding or withdrawals to accounts other than the player's registered accounts, and fund sharing between players, are prohibited.Source
Permitted payment channelsAll Licensees
Online funding and withdrawals may only use AMLC-compliant, BSP-registered channels; payment gateways may not use credit cards or cryptocurrency and may not perform player registration.Source
Advertising & Marketing requirements
Approval of promotionsB2C Operator
Marketing activities must be filed with EGLD at least 15 business days ahead; promotions with total prizes of PHP 1m or more, and system-based promotions, need prior approval.PHP 1000000Source
Promotional materials must carry the under-21 prohibition logo and the slogan "Gambling Can Be Addictive, Know When To Stop".Source
Mass media and social media limitsAll Licensees
Only general announcements may run in mass media; social media must use one official account per platform with a 21+ audience filter, and detailed promotion mechanics may only appear on the official website, platform or closed group.Source
SMS marketing restrictionB2C Operator
Promotions or ads by SMS/text blast are not permitted except to the venue's existing registered players.Source
Ads must not target or feature people under or appearing under 21, imply skill decides outcomes, present gambling as a way to make money or solve financial problems, or mislead on odds and prizes.Source
Other requirements
No sub-licensing; brand limitsB2B Supplier
Subleasing, subletting or sub-licensing an accreditation is banned (penalty: revocation and blacklisting); each GSA may use one main brand and domain plus up to six sub-brands containing the main brand name.1 brand + max 6 sub-brandsSource
Recent regulatory changes
Newest first. Each entry links to the notice it came from.
Licensing Round
Unified Gaming License introduced for gaming venues
PAGCOR approved an optional Unified Gaming License covering multiple game offerings in one venue, with a PHP 1.2m application fee and PHP 800000 renewal fee. Minimum terminal and seat counts apply per offering.
Minimum Guaranteed Fee for GSAs deferred to July 2026
PAGCOR's board further deferred the monthly Minimum Guaranteed Fee for Gaming System Administrators, first announced in December 2025, so that it applies from 2026-07-01. It rises from PHP 9m to PHP 10.5m per month for GSAs with electronic casino games from 2027-01-01.
Deadline for B2B providers to complete accreditation
B2B providers that applied by 2026-05-31 could keep serving GSAs until 2026-07-31 while completing fees, probity checks, inspections and deposits. Systems of non-compliant providers were to be decommissioned from 2026-08-01.
Revised venue, penalties and fee frameworks for e-gaming
PAGCOR adopted the Regulatory Framework for Gaming Venue Operations Rev. 0, Offenses and Penalties Rev. 3 (now covering B2B providers) and Fees and Rates Rev. 4. The minimum initial deposit was cut to PHP 500; Rev. 5 of the fees framework (January 2026) set sports betting shares at 15% live and 30% virtual.
New accreditation regime for GSAs and B2B providers
PAGCOR implemented new frameworks for Gaming System Administrators and for Gaming Affiliates and Support Service Providers, requiring all contracted B2B providers to be accredited. Existing providers had until 2026-03-31 to apply, with two-year accreditation validity and a PHP 1m deposit for game content providers.
EO 74 bans offshore gaming; PAGCOR says domestic e-games unaffected
Executive Order No. 74 banned Philippine offshore and internet gaming aimed at foreign players, and PAGCOR cancelled all internet gaming licensees and authorized providers effective 2024-12-15. PAGCOR advised that domestic electronic gaming by licensed venues and accredited providers is outside the ban.
Yes, for players in the Philippines through PAGCOR-licensed channels. Electronic casino, bingo, sports betting, specialty, numeric and online poker games may be offered online only through a PAGCOR-approved platform linked to a licensed gaming venue. Offshore gaming aimed at foreign players is banned under Executive Order No. 74.
Can I still get a POGO or offshore gaming licence from PAGCOR?
No. All internet gaming licensees and authorized providers were cancelled effective 2024-12-15 following Executive Order No. 74, and PAGCOR states that any site claiming a valid offshore licence is fraudulent.
Do B2B game suppliers need a PAGCOR licence?
Yes. Game content providers, game aggregators and support service providers (payments, marketing, customer service, KYC and testing labs) must be accredited by PAGCOR, and GSAs may only use accredited providers. Game content provider accreditation costs PHP 250000 per game offering for two years plus a PHP 1m performance cash deposit.
What does PAGCOR charge online operators?
Operators remit a PAGCOR Share of GGR ranging from 15% (live sports, live-streamed games, poker) to 30% (electronic casino, virtual sports, RNG games), plus a 10% audit fee on that share. Gaming System Administrators also face a Minimum Guaranteed Fee from 2026-07-01 of PHP 9m per month if they offer electronic casino games.
What is the minimum age to gamble online in the Philippines?
Players must be at least 21 years old and registered with a valid government-issued ID. Students, certain government officials, military and police personnel, and people on the NDRP exclusion list are also barred.
How does self-exclusion work?
PAGCOR runs self-exclusion (6 months, 1 year or 5 years, first 6 months irrevocable) and family exclusion programmes recorded in the National Database of Restricted Persons. Accredited platforms must integrate the NDRP and block excluded players.
Which payment methods can online platforms use?
Only AMLC-compliant, BSP-registered payment channels may be used, and payment gateways cannot use credit cards or cryptocurrency. Funding from third-party accounts and transfers between players are prohibited.
Primary legislation and instruments
The statutes, regulations and technical standards this page is built from.
Extends PAGCOR's franchise for 25 years from 2008-07-11 (renewable for another 25) and confirms its authority to operate and license casinos, gaming clubs and gaming pools, subject to local government consent.
Consolidates the franchise and powers of PAGCOR to operate, license and regulate games of chance in the Philippines, and sets the 5% franchise tax in lieu of other taxes.
Bans offshore gaming (online casino, RNG and sports betting offered exclusively to players outside the Philippines); PAGCOR states domestic PAGCOR-licensed e-gaming is outside its coverage.
Day-to-day rules for PAGCOR-licensed gaming venues and their online gaming platforms: player registration and KYC, conduct of games, AML and data privacy compliance, marketing, advertising and responsible gaming.
Sets eligibility, fees, performance cash deposits and technical, responsible gaming and payment requirements for Gaming System Administrators that run electronic gaming systems and online gaming platforms.
Sets licence fees, performance cash deposits and the PAGCOR Share rates on GGR for on-site and online gaming, plus the audit fee and weekly remittance rules.
Compiled from official regulator and government sources, most recently on 26 Sept 2026. It is a starting point for commercial research, not legal advice — confirm the current position with the PAGCOR or local counsel before you act on it.
