Is Online Gambling (aka “Casino Apps”) Legal in the Philippines?

A practical legal guide for players, app developers, and businesses

Short answer: Playing on ordinary, public-facing “casino apps” from inside the Philippines is generally illegal unless the app is expressly licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for on-shore play (a very narrow category) or is a product of another authorized government gaming operator (e.g., PCSO for lotto). “POGO” sites are for offshore players only—Filipino residents are not allowed to play on them. Penalties apply to both operators and players who participate in illegal gambling, and penalties are typically higher when done over the internet.

1) The legal building blocks

PAGCOR’s charter and licensing power

PAGCOR (created under P.D. 1869, later amended by R.A. 9487) has the mandate to operate and license games of chance in the Philippines.
PAGCOR licenses land-based casinos, electronic gaming/e-bingo outlets, and certain online/remote gaming offerings. Anything not covered by a valid PAGCOR or other statutory license is presumptively illegal.

Offshore vs. on-shore online gambling

POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) licenses authorize B2C gambling offered to players outside the Philippines. They are not consumer licenses for locals. Filipinos and anyone physically in the Philippines are prohibited from playing on POGO sites/apps.
On-shore remote gaming: During the pandemic, PAGCOR allowed tightly controlled remote play for existing, KYC’d patrons of licensed casinos (sometimes branded as remote or “inland” gaming). Access is geofenced, age-gated, account-based, and not a general-public “app store” experience. Unless your app is in this narrow, PAGCOR-approved bucket, it is not lawful for Philippine residents.

Other authorized state operators

PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) runs lottery/sweepstakes. Only official PCSO channels/agents (and any duly authorized digital channels) are lawful.
e-Sabong (online cockfighting) was ordered stopped at the national level in 2022 and remains prohibited unless a later nationwide authorization reinstates it.

2) What counts as “illegal gambling” online?

You’re likely in illegal territory if any of the following is true:

The app/site accepts bets from persons in the Philippines without a specific PAGCOR on-shore authorization (or other express law).
The operator is unlicensed, misusing a POGO license to service locals, or white-labeling a foreign casino to Philippine players.
It uses electronic channels (web, mobile app, social media, e-wallets) to run unlicensed games—this aggravates penalties (see §5).

Tip: Geoblocking alone doesn’t legalize a product. If Filipinos can still play through VPNs or local payments—and the operator targets the market—enforcement agencies can treat it as illegal on-shore gambling.

3) Can ordinary players legally use “casino apps” from the Philippines?

Players (end-users)

General public: You may only play via lawfully authorized on-shore channels (e.g., a PAGCOR-licensed casino’s approved remote-play program or a duly authorized state game).
POGO sites/apps: No. These are for offshore users. Playing from the Philippines violates licensing terms and can expose you to penalties.
Foreign apps with no Philippine license: No. Even if the operator is licensed abroad, it is not licensed here.

Age and access restrictions

PAGCOR-regulated casinos restrict access to 21+ and impose KYC and exclusion rules. Government officials, members of the uniformed services, and certain other categories face additional statutory/administrative prohibitions on casino entry/play. Expect similar or tighter controls in any approved online/remote variant.

4) Operators, platforms, payment providers, and affiliates

Operators/platforms offering games to persons in the Philippines need a PAGCOR license (or specific statutory authority like PCSO).
POGO operators must strictly exclude Philippine-based play and marketing.
Payment processors/e-wallets that knowingly service illegal gambling risk liability under anti-money laundering (AMLA), aiding/abetting, and administrative regimes.
Affiliates/marketers that drive Philippine traffic to unlicensed gambling face the same enforcement exposure as principals.

5) Laws and penalties (Philippine context)

Exact penalties depend on the charge, role (operator vs. bettor), and facts. The list below maps the usual frameworks.

P.D. 1602 (stiffer penalties for illegal gambling)
- Applies when gambling is conducted without legal authority.
- Covers operators, financiers, maintainers, collectors, and players/bettors.
- Penalties range from fines to imprisonment (generally arresto mayor up to prisión correccional, with higher ranges for organizers/financiers).
R.A. 9287 (increases penalties for illegal numbers games)
- A special law that enhances the P.D. 1602 framework for numbers games (e.g., jueteng, masiao).
- Imposes graduated penalties—heavier for operators, collectors, and financiers; lighter but still penal for bettors.
R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) – one-degree higher when crimes are committed via ICT
- Section 6 applies a penalty one degree higher to crimes under the Revised Penal Code and special laws when committed through ICT (e.g., websites, apps, chat, e-wallets).
- Practically, illegal gambling run over the internet or mobile increases exposure for both operators and, when charged, end-users.
R.A. 9160 (AMLA), as amended by R.A. 10927 & others – casinos and online casinos are covered persons
- Casinos (including internet/ship-based) must conduct KYC, keep records, and file CTR/STR with the AML Council.
- Thresholds apply (casinos have a high reporting threshold), and violations can result in administrative and criminal penalties, including for willful blindness by payment intermediaries.
- Using gambling channels to launder funds can trigger AMLA charges separate from illegal gambling offenses.
Local ordinances & regulatory circulars
- LGUs may impose zoning, permitting, and curfew rules for e-games/e-bingo shops.
- NTC can order domain/IP blocking of illegal gambling sites; payment regulators can curb settlement rails.
Contract/civil law consequences
- Gambling debts tied to illegal play are generally unenforceable in Philippine courts.
- Assets used in or derived from unlawful gambling may be subject to forfeiture (e.g., under AMLA).

6) Special topics

“Casino apps” in app stores

App-store availability does not equal legality. The legal test is Philippine authorization and who is allowed to play. An app may be lawful in its home country but illegal here if it accepts play from users in the Philippines without PAGCOR authority.

“Free-to-play” and social casino

No-cash, no-prize social casino mechanics usually fall outside “gambling,” but:
- If there is any route—directly or through “sweepstakes,” third-party exchanges, NFTs, skins—to convert wins into value, regulators can treat it as gambling.
- Dark-pattern or disguised payouts (GCash credits, gift cards, crypto) can bring you into illegal territory and AML risk.

VPNs and geoblocking

Using a VPN to access a blocked app won’t legalize the activity. It may add cybercrime or fraud angles.

e-Sabong

National authorities halted online cockfighting operations in 2022 over social-order concerns. Treat it as prohibited unless a later law or nationwide directive revives it.

7) Practical compliance checklists

For players (residents of the Philippines)

Play only on:
- A PAGCOR-licensed land-based venue; or
- A PAGCOR-approved remote-play channel you were formally onboarded to (KYC, account approval, geofenced access); or
- A lawful state game (e.g., PCSO) through official channels.
Avoid: POGOs, foreign casino apps, crypto-casinos, Telegram/Discord “tables,” and influencer-promoted links.
Watch for KYC and age-gating; absence is a red flag.
Remember: Participating in illegal gambling can mean fines and/or jail, and online conduct can mean higher penalties.

For operators/affiliates/payment firms

Licensing: Obtain the correct PAGCOR authority (on-shore vs. offshore).
Geofencing & marketing: Block Philippine IPs for POGOs; no local marketing. For on-shore remote play, enforce strict KYC, 21+, and player caps.
AMLA: Implement KYC, transaction monitoring, and reporting; keep records.
Responsible gaming: Self-exclusion, deposit limits, time-outs, and a clear complaints channel.
Data/privacy: Comply with the Data Privacy Act for player data.
Payments: Do not integrate local e-wallets/cards for illegal on-shore play; expect freezes/chargebacks if flagged.

8) Penalty snapshots (plain-English)

Illustrative only; actual penalties depend on the charge and circumstances.

Player on an unlicensed app: Fine and/or short-term imprisonment under P.D. 1602; one-degree-higher if charged under R.A. 10175 for using ICT.
Collector/agent/affiliate for an illegal online operation: Heavier penalties than a mere bettor; possible AMLA exposure.
Operator/financier of an online casino without proper license: Highest penalties among participants; asset seizure, AMLA, tax cases, NTC blocking, and immigration consequences for foreign nationals.

9) Frequently asked scenarios

“It’s a foreign app but says Filipinos can join.” If it accepts play from people in the Philippines without Philippine authorization, treat it as illegal.
“The app takes crypto, not pesos.” Currency type doesn’t matter. If it’s unlicensed gambling offered on-shore, it’s still illegal (and adds AMLA risk).
“It’s just a Telegram group with GCash settle.” That’s a classic illegal numbers/game room pattern—penalties apply to all roles, including bettors.
“I’m an OFW outside the Philippines—can I play on a POGO?” POGOs are intended for offshore players. Your local country’s laws then apply; Philippine prohibitions on locals playing POGOs apply when you are in the Philippines.

10) How to stay safe (players)

Assume public casino apps are not allowed unless clearly PAGCOR-approved for on-shore use.
Look for official regulatory disclosures (license numbers, responsible-gaming terms, exclusion rules).
Don’t use VPNs to bypass geoblocks; it may worsen liability.
Don’t share e-wallet or ID data with shady apps; you risk identity theft and AMLA investigations.
If approached by recruiters/affiliates, walk away; recruiting bettors can make you an accomplice.

11) How to stay compliant (businesses)

Get the right license (PAGCOR on-shore remote vs. POGO).
Build geofencing, KYC, age-gating, and AML monitoring before launch.
Coordinate with NTC for domain practices; BSP-regulated payment partners will require comfort on AML/KYC.
Maintain logs, fair-play/RNG certifications, and a responsible-gaming program.
Expect audits and mystery-shopping by regulators.

12) Bottom line

Legal to play? Only on authorized on-shore channels (PAGCOR/PCSO). Ordinary “casino apps” for the public are not legal for Philippine-based users.
Legal to operate? Only with the correct Philippine license and strict compliance.
Penalties? Real—and worse online (Cybercrime Act uplift), plus AMLA, tax, and forfeiture exposure.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information on Philippine law and policy and is not legal advice. If you face a specific situation (e.g., you’ve been contacted by authorities, or you plan to launch a product), consult a Philippine lawyer who can review your facts, licenses, and risk profile.