Verifying an Online Gambling Site’s PAGCOR License – A Comprehensive Philippine Legal Guide
1. Constitutional & Statutory Foundations
| Instrument | Key Provisions Relevant to Licensing & Verification |
|---|---|
| 1987 Constitution, Art. XII §17 | Allows the State to “regulate and exercise authority over foreign investments within its national jurisdiction and in accordance with its national goals and priorities.” Gaming operations fall under this police-power prerogative. |
| Presidential Decree (PD) 1869 (PAGCOR Charter, 1983; as amended) | - Creates PAGCOR and vests it with the exclusive authority to “operate, authorize and license gambling casinos, gaming clubs, and other similar recreation or amusement places.” - Authorizes PAGCOR to “enter into operating, management or licensing agreements” with private entities. |
| Republic Act (RA) 9487 (2007) | - Extends PAGCOR’s corporate life to 50 years (until 2033). - Broadens its licensing power to “internet or remote gaming” subject to specific rules. |
| RA 10927 (2017) – AMLA Amendment | Recognizes casino-junket operators (including online) as “covered persons” under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). Requires customer due-diligence (KYC) and reporting of covered and suspicious transactions. |
| Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular 1039 (2019) | Mandates Philippine banks and e-money issuers to require proof of PAGCOR licensing before extending services to online gaming operators. |
| BIR Revenue Regulations RR 14-2017 & RR 30-2020 | Impose income-tax, franchise-tax and withholding obligations on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and require submission of a valid, current PAGCOR license for registration. |
2. Types of Licenses Issued by PAGCOR
| License Type | Scope | Target Market | Current Branding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Online Gaming (E-Games, Live Dealer, Sportsbook, etc.) | Allows real-money gambling services to players physically located in the Philippines via websites or mobile apps. | Filipino adults (21+) located in PH; tourists physically present in PH. | Typically issued as an Internet Gaming Permit (IGP) or incorporated into the “PIGCOR” platform initiative (2024 forward). |
| POGO – Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator | Authorizes an operator to offer online casino, sportsbook, exchange betting, bingo, poker or similar games exclusively to players located outside the Philippines. | Non-resident players; PH residents are strictly geoblocked. | Since 2023, new applications are branded “IEGO” (Internet/Offshore Gaming) to distinguish from controversial POGO label. |
| Gaming System Service Provider (GSSP) | Covers software vendors, platform providers, payment processors, testing labs and live-studio suppliers that service PAGCOR licensees. | B2B only; may not offer games direct to players. | Must obtain Certificate of Accreditation that lists the supported licensees. |
3. Mandatory Display & Verification Elements
| Element | Legal Basis | Where It Must Appear | What to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAGCOR “Responsible Gaming” Logo | PAGCOR Memorandum Circular 06-05-2013 | Landing page, footer of every game interface, cashier pages. | High-resolution logo hyperlinked to PAGCOR’s validation page. |
| Permit Number | PD 1869 §13(j) & PAGCOR implementing rules | - Website footer - “About Us” page - Digital marketing materials |
Format: xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx (4 sets of digits/letters). Cross-verify with PAGCOR site. |
| QR-Code Seal (introduced 2022) | PAGCOR Office Memo 2022-012 | Homepage and login screen. | Scan: it should resolve to https://pagcor.ph/verify/XXXX showing operator name, dates of effectivity, authorised game verticals. |
| Live Certificate Link | PAGCOR Advisory 2023-001 | Pop-up or static link labelled “PAGCOR e-Certification.” | Clicking should trigger a PDF hosted on .pagcor.ph titled “Permit to Operate – [Company Name].” |
4. Step-by-Step Verification Procedure for Consumers & Counterparties
Locate Visible Credentials
- Scroll to the site footer for the PAGCOR logo, QR code and permit number. Absence of any of these is a red flag.
Cross-Check on the Official PAGCOR Portal
- Navigate to pagcor.ph > Gaming > Licensees > Online/POGO list.
- Search the exact corporate name (not the brand name).
- Note the effectivity and expiry dates – standard validity is 3 years for domestic IGPs and 2 years for POGO/IEGO.
Validate the Domain & IP Territory
- The registered domain(s) appear on the PAGCOR list. Operators may only use approved URLs.
- Domestic licensees must host within Philippine-based servers OR mirror servers registered with PAGCOR’s monitoring system.
Inspect the SSL Certificate
- Certificate Subject or SAN should match the approved domain and show the legal corporate name in the Organisation field.
Check Game Provider Accreditations
- Game software should come only from GSSPs accredited by PAGCOR. Normally a second click on a provider’s logo yields the GSSP certificate.
Confirm KYC & Responsible Gaming Links
- Proper age-gate (21+), self-exclusion tools and AMLA-compliant KYC flow (valid ID upload) indicate compliance.
Contact PAGCOR Directly if in Doubt
- Email verify@pagcor.ph or call (+632) 8528-8282 loc. 322. Provide URL, permit number and screenshots; PAGCOR replies within 3 working days.
5. Due-Diligence for Banks, Payment Gateways & B2B Suppliers
| Verification Check | Documentary Evidence Required | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Registration / Permit to Operate | Notarised copy downloaded from PAGCOR database, stamped “VALID.” | At onboarding & annually on anniversary date. |
| AML Compliance Program | AMLC-approved manual; latest CTR/STR filing proof. | Onboarding, then every 2 years. |
| Tax Compliance (BIR) | BIR Form 2303 & latest VAT/percentage-tax returns plus franchise-tax (if applicable). | Semi-annual. |
| Geolocation & Geo-Blocking Test Report | Third-party test showing PH players blocked if POGO; offshore players blocked if Domestic IGP. | Quarterly. |
| Server Co-location Certificate | Confirmation from PAGCOR Monitoring & Surveillance Dept. | On change; minimum annually. |
6. Consequences of Operating Without or Beyond a PAGCOR License
| Violation | Administrative Sanction | Criminal Exposure | Ancillary Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating online gaming without any permit | Immediate Cease-and-Desist Order (CDO); asset seizure | Art. 315, Revised Penal Code (estafa), up to 20 years; potential PD 1602 penalties for illegal gambling | Blacklisting of directors; domain/IP blocking via NTC; AMLC freeze orders |
| Operating games outside authorised verticals (e.g., adding sportsbook to casino-only license) | ₱100,000 – ₱300,000 per day of violation; suspension of whole license | Same as above if fraud is proven | BIR assessment for deficiency taxes; removal from PAGCOR licensee list |
| Serving prohibited player jurisdiction (e.g., PH residents on POGO) | ₱500,000 fixed fine + revocation of POGO license | AMLA violation if proceeds laundered | Banks obligated to shut merchant accounts |
7. PAGCOR Licensing Renewal & Monitoring
Renewal Lead Time: 90 days before expiry. Late filings incur a 25 % surcharge on the renewal fee.
Key Ongoing Obligations:
- Real-time data-feed to PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Management System (EGMS);
- Monthly gross gaming revenue (GGR) remittance – 5 % franchise tax for domestic IGP; 2 % regulatory fee for POGO/IEGO plus 5 % withholding on wagers;
- Quarterly eSuite audit by PAGCOR-certified test laboratory (GLI, BMM, SIQ, Gaming Labs Asia).
8. Practical Tips for Players
- Bookmark the Official PAGCOR Verification Page to avoid phishing copies.
- Compare Spelling & Grammar in the certificate – legitimate PDF certificates use the operator’s SEC-registered name, not a marketing brand with stylized characters.
- Watch for Pop-Up Warnings from your browser or antivirus; many unlicensed sites trigger malware alerts.
- Check Recent PAGCOR Press Releases: PAGCOR regularly names operators placed under CDO or suspension.
- When in Doubt, Stay Out: Philippine law makes the player liable only for illegal gambling inside physical premises, but you risk charge-backs and loss of deposits if the site is shut down.
9. FAQs
Q1: Are Curacao- or Malta-licensed sites legal for Filipinos?
No. Foreign licensing does not substitute for a PAGCOR permit. A site must hold both a foreign license (for its other markets) and a PAGCOR domestic IGP if it accepts players physically located in the Philippines.
Q2: Can a single company hold both domestic and offshore licenses?
Yes, but PAGCOR requires a separate corporate entity with ring-fenced servers and cashier systems. Dual serving from one platform is strictly prohibited.
Q3: Is verification different for e-sabong (online cockfighting)?
E-sabong operations were suspended nationwide under Executive Order 9 (June 2024). Any site offering e-sabong today is unlicensed.
Q4: What about Blockchain or NFT gaming?
PAGCOR treats play-to-earn schemes with token wagering as “internet gaming” and thus subject to licensing. Operators must secure an IGP or IEGO before launch and must integrate on-chain data into the EGMS feed.
10. Conclusion
Verifying a PAGCOR license is not a mere formality—it is a critical consumer-protection and compliance step anchored in Philippine constitutional policy, the PAGCOR Charter, AMLA, and revenue regulations. A legitimate online gambling site should make verification effortless through visible seals, live certificates, and responsive service. Players, payment processors, and B2B suppliers who follow the checklist above dramatically reduce the legal, financial and reputational risks associated with unlicensed or rogue operators.