Reporting Illegal Online Gambling Websites to PAGCOR
A Philippine-focused legal guide (2025)
1. Why “illegal” matters online
Only PAGCOR may authorize gambling
- Presidential Decree 1067-A (1977) created the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and vested in it the sole power to “operate, authorize and regulate” games of chance—on-site and online.
- Republic Act 9487 (2007) extended PAGCOR’s franchise to 2033 and reaffirmed its exclusive regulatory remit.
Anything not expressly licensed is unlawful
- Unlicensed sites violate P.D. 1602, as amended by R.A. 9287, which penalizes illegal gambling with 6 months and 1 day to 20 years imprisonment plus fines.
- If the operator is foreign, deportation follows after sentence under the Philippine Immigration Act.
- R.A. 10927 (2017) brought casinos—including online casinos—under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA); failure to register or report suspicious transactions is a separate criminal offense.
2. Recognizing a legal vs. illegal site
| Feature | Legal e-gaming/POGO | Illegal operator |
|---|---|---|
| PAGCOR Authorization Number | Displayed on homepage footer and “Responsible Gaming” page | Absent, forged, or unverifiable |
| .ph Sub-domain issued by dotPH upon PAGCOR clearance (optional) | Often used | Typically foreign-registered domain |
| “18+ Only” and RG tools (self-exclusion) | Mandatory | Usually missing |
| Player location controls | Must geofence Philippine users if licensed as offshore POGO | None; accepts PH bets without domestic licence |
| Mandatory KYC & AML notices | Present | Minimal or no verification |
3. Where to file a report
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PAGCOR Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Department (CMED) | Licensing violations, player complaints | Primary portal; coordinates raids and website blocking |
| National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) | Domain/IP blocking under Memo Circular 05-06-2024 | Rapid takedown of URLs and mirror sites |
| Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), DICT | Digital forensics, cross-border evidence | Complex networks, crypto tracing |
| NBI – Cybercrime Division / PNP – Anti-Cybercrime Group | Criminal investigation and arrests | When personal harm, fraud, or underage gambling is involved |
| Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) | Suspicious transaction reports, asset freezing | Laundered winnings, mule accounts |
Tip: File simultaneously with PAGCOR and at least one law-enforcement body to preserve both regulatory and criminal angles.
4. Step-by-step reporting workflow
Gather evidence
- Screenshots or screen-recordings of the betting interface, payment pages, and chat support.
- Bank/GCash receipts or crypto-hashes proving a wager or payout.
- URL(s), mirror links, social-media promos, affiliate codes.
- Dates, times, and IP address if known (browser “More info” → “Connection”).
Draft a sworn complaint-affidavit (optional but persuasive)
- Include full name, address, ID number, and a narrative of events.
- Attach all exhibits (mark them “Annex A,” “Annex B,” etc.).
- Have it notarized or executed under Art. 183 of the Revised Penal Code (false testimony).
Submit to PAGCOR
- E-mail: cmed@pagcor.ph
- Online form: www.pagcor.ph/feedback → “Report Illegal Gambling”
- Hotline: (02) 8522-1992 loc. 6041 (24/7)
- Walk-in: CMED, 7/F PAGCOR Main Office, Malate, Manila.
- Keep the ticket/acknowledgement number.
Escalate for blocking
- Forward the same dossier to NTC (legal@ntc.gov.ph).
- The NTC issues a 72-hour provisional block while verifying with PAGCOR.
Follow-up
- PAGCOR will update complainants in writing within 15 working days per Sec. 8, PAGCOR Citizen’s Charter (rev. 2023).
- If no action, invoke R.A. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Law) and file a complaint with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
5. Legal consequences for operators & accomplices
| Violation | Statute | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed gambling operation | P.D. 1602 as amended | Prision correccional to prision mayor + ₱50k-₱300k fine |
| Using internet to commit gambling offense | R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) | +1 degree higher penalty than base offense |
| Failure to register w/ AMLC | R.A. 9160 as amended by R.A. 10927 | ₱500k-₱1 m fine per transaction + administrative sanctions |
| Tax evasion (POGO) | R.A. 11590 (Offshore Gaming Tax Act 2021) | Closure + surcharge + interest + criminal action |
| Harboring or financing illegal gambling | Art. 195, Revised Penal Code | Same range as principal |
Players are not immune: wagering on an illegal site is punishable by up to 90 days’ imprisonment or a fine up to ₱10,000 under P.D. 1602.
6. Whistle-blower and data-privacy notes
- Anonymity: PAGCOR accepts anonymous tips, but a named complaint speeds up investigation and may entitle the whistle-blower to a monetary reward if illicit assets are forfeited (Sec. 4, PAGCOR Rules on Confiscated Funds 2022).
- Data Privacy: Submissions fall under “law enforcement processing” (Sec. 4-d, Data Privacy Act IRR); consent is implied, but PAGCOR must still secure your personal data.
- Witness Protection: In syndicate cases, the Department of Justice may enroll the complainant under the WPP (R.A. 6981).
7. Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer (2025) |
|---|---|
| Can I file a case directly with the prosecutor? | Yes—submit a verified complaint-affidavit under Rule 110, Sec. 5 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The prosecutor will issue subpoenas and may file information in court. |
| Will PAGCOR reimburse my losses? | No. PAGCOR may order the operator to refund, but collection is civil in nature. You must sue for unjust enrichment under Art. 22, Civil Code. |
| How long does blocking take? | Emergency blocks average 3-5 days; permanent takedown follows a Notice-and-Takedown Order once due process is completed. |
| What if the site is hosted abroad? | PAGCOR requests MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) help. Meanwhile, the NTC blocks local access and the AMLC freezes PH-based bank or e-wallet accounts. |
| Do crypto-only sites fall under PAGCOR? | Yes. The moment the wager originates from the Philippines, PAGCOR jurisdiction attaches, regardless of payment rail. ICO-based casinos must also register with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas if they transmit virtual assets. |
8. Practical checklist
- Verify the site’s PAGCOR e-Gaming or POGO license number.
- Capture URL, screenshots, transaction receipts.
- Draft or notarize a complaint-affidavit (optional but ideal).
- Submit to PAGCOR CMED via e-mail or portal.
- Forward dossier to NTC and CICC for blocking and forensic tracing.
- Monitor progress; elevate to ARTA after 15 working days of inaction.
- Preserve digital evidence; do not clear browser cache or delete chats.
Conclusion
The Philippines’ legal framework treats online gambling as presumptively illegal unless a valid PAGCOR authorization is in place. Reporting rogue websites is straightforward: compile solid evidence, lodge a complaint with PAGCOR, and trigger parallel action from the NTC and cyber-crime agencies. Swift reporting not only protects individual bettors but also cuts off money-laundering channels and safeguards legitimate, tax-paying licensees. Armed with this guide, you can act decisively against illegal online gambling ventures while staying within the bounds of Philippine law.