Removal from the PAGCOR Casino Exclusion List in the Philippines — A Comprehensive Legal Guide
1. What the Exclusion List Is and Why It Exists
The casino exclusion list is PAGCOR’s master record of individuals who are barred from entering or gambling in any licensed casino (land-based or electronic) in the Philippines. It serves three public-interest goals:
- Responsible gaming — helping problem gamblers (or their families) enforce a cooling-off period.
- Integrity & security — keeping out persons involved in fraud, money laundering, cheating or other crimes.
- Regulatory compliance — ensuring Philippine casinos meet international AML/CFT and social-safeguard standards.
2. Legal Foundations
| Instrument | Key Provisions on Exclusion |
|---|---|
| P.D. 1869 (PAGCOR Charter, 1983) as amended by R.A. 9487 (2007) | Empowers PAGCOR to “prohibit or exclude undesirable persons” and to issue implementing rules. |
| Casino Regulatory Manual (CRM), Vol. 2 §§ 90-106 | Codifies self-exclusion, third-party exclusion, casino-initiated bans, record-keeping, and procedures for removal. |
| Responsible Gaming Code of Practice (2013, rev. 2021) | Sets minimum exclusion periods (6 mos., 1 yr., 3 yrs., indefinite) and counselling requirements before reinstatement. |
| Anti-Money Laundering Act, R.A. 9160 (as amended by R.A. 10927) | Lets PAGCOR and casino operators exclude persons named in AMLA freeze or forfeiture orders. |
| Data Privacy Act, R.A. 10173 | Mandates confidentiality of exclusion records and consent-based processing for removal. |
3. Ways a Person Gets on the List
- Voluntary / Self-Exclusion Gambler signs a sworn application choosing a lock-out term of at least 6 months.
- Third-Party / Family Exclusion A spouse, direct ascendant/descendant, or legal guardian may file if they can show (a) problem gambling or (b) danger to family finances.
- Casino- or PAGCOR-Imposed Exclusion Triggered by cheating, disorderly conduct, attempts at money laundering, use of falsified IDs, or court orders.
- Court or Administrative Order Sandiganbayan, trial courts, AMLC, or other regulators may direct an exclusion; PAGCOR must honour it.
4. Basic Effects of Exclusion
Immediate denial of entry, automatic cancellation of player cards, suspension of junket entitlements, blocking of front-money accounts, and alert notices to all licensees. An excluded person who still manages to play forfeits winnings and may be charged with trespass or estafa.
5. Minimum Lock-Out Periods Before You Can Apply for Removal
| Mode of Exclusion | Earliest You May Apply |
|---|---|
| Self-exclusion for 6 months | After 6 months & 1 day |
| Self-exclusion for 1 year | After 1 year & 1 day |
| Self-exclusion for 3 years | After 3 years & 1 day |
| Self-exclusion “indefinite” | After 5 years |
| Third-party exclusion | After 1 year and with notarised consent of the requestor |
| PAGCOR-imposed for misconduct | No fixed time; must prove the disqualifying reason no longer exists |
| Court-ordered | Only the issuing court can lift it |
6. Documentary Requirements for Lifting (Removal)
- Application to Lift Exclusion PAGCOR Form RGL-02 (three pages, two 1×1 photos).
- Government-issued ID (passport, UMID, philID, etc.).
- Sworn Undertaking & Waiver Promising to gamble responsibly and authorising PAGCOR to monitor future play.
- Certificate of Counselling Issued by a DOH-accredited psychologist or a PAGCOR-recognised NGO (e.g., InTouch PH); at least two sessions required for self-excluders, four for third-party cases.
- Affidavit of No Pending Criminal Case (only for misconduct-based exclusions).
- Family Consent & Proof of Relationship (for third-party lifts).
- Proof of Court Order or Order of Dismissal (if the ban came from a court/AMLC).
7. Step-by-Step Procedure
| Stage | Responsible Office | Timeline* |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Filing — Submit the complete packet at the casino’s Responsible Gaming (RG) Desk or directly at PAGCOR’s Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Department (CMED) in Pasay City. | Applicant | Day 0 |
| 2. Preliminary Check — RG Officer ensures forms are complete, IDs match, and lock-out period has elapsed. | Casino RG Officer | 1-2 days |
| 3. Forwarding & Docketing — Casino sends packet to CMED with endorsement. | Casino → CMED | +5 days |
| 4. Interview & Evaluation — CMED psychologist (for self-exclusion) or legal officer (for misconduct) conducts an interview; may request additional proof. | CMED | +7-10 days |
| 5. Resolution — CMED drafts a Recommendation to Lift or Deny and elevates it to the PAGCOR Chairperson & CEO (or authorised SVP) for approval. | CMED → Office of the Chair | +10-15 days |
| 6. Promulgation — Signed Order Lifting Exclusion (OLE) served on applicant; copies circulated via encrypted circular to all Philippine casinos. | CMED | +3 days |
| 7. Database Update — Casino IT removes the exclusion flag from player databases; loyalty cards may be re-issued on request. | Casino Licensees | +1-2 days |
*Indicative processing time for uncontested, fully documentary applications; may be longer if verification abroad is needed.
8. Appeals and Re-Application
- If Denied: Applicant may appeal within 15 days to the PAGCOR Board of Directors. A final denial bars another application for 6 months (self-exclusion) or 1 year (third-party and misconduct).
- Re-Exclusion: A person who has been removed can later file for self-exclusion again; the system accepts multiple cycles.
9. Special Notes & Practical Tips
- Remote / Pandemic-Era Filing — Since 2021, PAGCOR accepts scanned applications via
responsiblegaming@pagcor.phprovided biometrics are verified in person within 30 days of approval. - Foreign Nationals — Must present Alien Certificate of Registration or ACR I-Card plus passport; they may appoint a Philippine-resident representative via consularised SPA.
- Data Privacy — Records stay for 10 years after lifting, then are anonymised. Only CMED and licensed casino RG Officers may access the list.
- Licensed POGOs / e-Bingo — The exclusion applies automatically to electronic casinos operated under PAGCOR or the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) if they integrate with PAGCOR’s RG portal.
- Penalties for Casinos — ₱100,000 administrative fine per violation plus possible suspension of licence for admitting an excluded patron.
- Attempted Entry While Excluded — Security may detain the person and turn them over to police for trespass (Art. 280, RPC); winnings are forfeited to PAGCOR.
- Case Law Snapshot — People v. Reyes (RTC Paranaque, 2019) upheld a conviction for estafa where an excluded patron obtained ₱2 million in chips via a bounced check. The court cited the exclusion as evidence of fraudulent intent.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a lawyer to file for lifting? | No. Most applicants are self-represented; only complex misconduct cases commonly retain counsel. |
| Will my name be published? | No. PAGCOR treats the list as confidential under the Data Privacy Act. |
| Can PAGCOR deny my application even after my lock-out term? | Yes, if counselling is incomplete, if new derogatory information surfaces, or if the Board believes reinstatement jeopardises responsible gaming objectives. |
| Does a ban in another country matter? | PAGCOR may consider foreign bans under “public interest”, especially if based on criminal conduct. |
11. Conclusion
Removal from the PAGCOR Casino Exclusion List is possible but never automatic. A person must (1) wait out the mandated lock-out, (2) complete counselling, (3) submit a properly documented application, and (4) satisfy PAGCOR that the grounds for exclusion no longer exist or have been adequately mitigated. The process protects both vulnerable gamblers and the integrity of the Philippine gaming industry.
Disclaimer — This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a Philippine lawyer or PAGCOR’s CMED for formal guidance on any specific case.