Verifying Whether an Online Casino Is Licensed by PAGCOR
(A Comprehensive Philippine-Law Perspective – updated to June 2025)
1. Why PAGCOR Matters
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a 100 %-government-owned and -controlled corporation created under Presidential Decree 1869 (1977) and given an extended 25-year franchise by Republic Act 9487 (2007). PAGCOR’s charter authorizes it to:
- Operate gambling establishments in the country; and
- License and regulate other private entities that wish to conduct gaming.
Any online-casino brand that targets Philippine players—or accepts wagers while physically based in the Philippines—must therefore hold a valid PAGCOR licence (unless it is one of the few outlets operating directly under a separate special economic zone law, which still requires PAGCOR concurrence in practice).
2. The Two Principal Online-Gaming Categories
| Category | Official PAGCOR Term | Market Served | Launched | Typical Branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic online casinos | PIGO – Philippine Inland Gaming Operator | Residents physically located in the Philippines | 2020 (pandemic-era shift to online) | Usually tied to an existing Philippine land-based casino (e-sabong operators once fell here) |
| Offshore-facing online casinos | POGO – Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator | Players located outside Philippine territory | 2016 | Websites often display “POGO Seal” and block Philippine IP addresses |
If a site lets you play while you are in the Philippines, it must hold a PIGO licence. If it geoblocks local IPs and accepts foreigners only, it should hold a POGO licence.
3. Licensing Requirements (High-Level Snapshot)
| Requirement | PIGO | POGO |
|---|---|---|
| Paid-up capital | ₱100 million (minimum) | US$200 thousand (minimum) plus proof of liquidity |
| Regulatory fee | 30 % of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) or ₱15 million/month, whichever is higher | 5 % of GGR + US$10 k/month fixed fee |
| AML/KYC systems | Compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended, and the 2022 IRR | Same, plus quarterly independent systems audit |
| Gaming platform test | Certification by a PAGCOR-accredited laboratory | Same |
| Local employment quota | At least 30 % Filipino staff | At least 10 % Filipino staff, plus BIR-registered foreign employees |
Licences are normally one year, renewable, but PAGCOR can suspend or revoke at any time for breaches.
4. How PAGCOR Publishes Licence Information
Official master list. The Gaming Licensing and Development Department (GLDD) maintains a PDF or HTML roster of “Active Licensees and Accredited Service Providers.”
Individual certificates. Each licensee receives a framed Certificate of Accreditation showing:
- Licence number (e.g., POGO-23-002)
- Issue and expiry dates
- A QR-code that resolves to PAGCOR’s verification portal.
Suspension/Revocation bulletins. Circulars and press releases list entities that have been penalized.
5. Step-by-Step Verification Guide
| Step | What to Do | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the legal entity. | Scroll to the footer or “About Us” page of the casino website. | Full corporate name (e.g., “Lucky Star Gaming Corporation”). |
| 2. Find the licence mark. | POGO sites: “POGO PAGCOR Licence No. ____”; PIGO sites: “PAGCOR PIGO Approval No. ____”. | A licence number, not just a logo. |
| 3. Cross-check on PAGCOR’s master list. | Visit www.pagcor.ph/regulatory → Licensees. | Status column must read “Active/Good Standing.” |
| 4. Validate the QR-code. | If the site shows a certificate image, scan the QR. | Should open a pagcor.ph domain page showing the same licence number and “VALID UNTIL |
| 5. Confirm domain inclusion. | Look for the casino’s exact URL on the expanded details page (PAGCOR lists all authorised domains). | Typographical mismatch = red flag. |
| 6. Check recent advisories. | Browse “Newsroom” → “Press Releases”. | Any notice of suspension, revocation or settlement in the past year. |
| 7. Contact PAGCOR, if in doubt. | Email glld@pagcor.ph or phone (+632) 8522-0000 ext. 688. | Provide the licence number; PAGCOR replies in 3-5 working days. |
| 8. Verify payment channels. | Legitimate PIGO sites integrate with BSP-regulated banks or EMIs. | Funds routed through overseas e-wallets may indicate grey-market status. |
6. Red Flags Signaling an Unlicensed Operator
- “Licensed by First Cagayan” or “CEZA” without a concurrent PAGCOR approval (a practice curtailed since 2018).
- Generic “PAGCOR logo” that is low-resolution or missing the licence number.
- QR-code leads to a non-PAGCOR domain or to a blank site.
- Customer service claims PAGCOR licence is “pending” or “processing.”
- Offers to Philippine-based players but lists a POGO licence (POGOs cannot legally accept local bettors).
- Accepts cryptocurrency without requiring KYC documentation (contrary to AMLA rules).
7. Penalties for Unlicensed Online Gambling
| Offender | Penalty under Philippines Law |
|---|---|
| Operator | Closure, seizure of equipment, fine up to ₱500 k per day, and/or imprisonment of officers (up to 12 years) under Sec. 14 RA 9487 & Executive Order No. 13 (2017). |
| Player | Misdemeanor under Art. 195, Revised Penal Code (fine or short prison term), plus forfeiture of winnings. |
| Payment facilitator | Possible breach of AML rules; Bangko Sentral may suspend licence. |
8. Practical Tips for Players and Compliance Officers
- Bookmark the master list and check it monthly; PAGCOR updates whenever a licence lapses or is suspended.
- Take screenshots of the licence details before depositing, so you have evidence if status later changes.
- Enable geolocation on your device; legitimate PIGO sites geo-fence the Philippines and block abroad.
- Beware of “skin” sites. Some operators clone their main platform onto multiple domains—only those expressly listed with PAGCOR are legal.
- Use real-name payment channels; under BSP Circular 1108 (2021), VASPs must verify customers’ identity.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a foreigner in Manila legally play on a POGO site? | No. POGOs may accept only customers located outside Philippine territory. |
| Is e-sabong still legal? | No. All e-sabong licences were revoked by Malacañang Order in May 2022; PAGCOR no longer lists them. |
| Does a licence guarantee fairness? | It guarantees regulatory oversight, RNG audits, and a dispute-resolution channel, but always read the T&Cs. |
| Where do I complain? | Email clientrelations@pagcor.ph or use the PCSO “8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.” |
10. Key Takeaways
- A valid, active PAGCOR licence is the only legal basis for an online casino to operate in—or from—the Philippines.
- Verification is simple: Licence number → Master list → QR code → Domain match.
- PAGCOR publishes suspensions and revocations promptly; check before every new deposit.
- Operating or patronizing an unlicensed site exposes both operator and player to criminal liability.
By following the verification steps outlined above, any lawyer, compliance analyst, or casual player can confidently distinguish between a legitimately licensed Philippine online casino and a rogue operator.