Verifying the PAGCOR Licence of an Online-Gaming Site in the Philippines: A Complete Legal Guide (2025)
This article is written for information only and does not replace personalised legal advice from a Philippine-qualified lawyer.
1. Why PAGCOR matters
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a government-owned and controlled corporation that both operates casinos and regulates all gambling in the country. Its authority springs from:
| Instrument | Key points |
|---|---|
| Presidential Decree No. 1869 (1983) – PAGCOR Charter | Grants PAGCOR the “total monopoly” to establish, operate and license games of chance. |
| Republic Act No. 9487 (2007) | Extends PAGCOR’s franchise to 2033 and expressly authorises it to license electronic and internet-based games. |
| Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160, as amended) & Casino AML Rules (2017, 2021) | Designate licensees as “covered persons” with strict KYC, reporting and record-keeping duties. |
| Revenue Regulations 20-2020 & 30-2020 (BIR) | Impose a 5 % franchise tax (in lieu of all other taxes) on offshore licensees and clarify VAT/withholding rules. |
2. What counts as “online gaming”?
Under PAGCOR’s rules, any platform that accepts wagers, facilitates play, or pays out winnings through electronic means (desktop, mobile, kiosk or streaming) is an online-gaming site. Social-casino and free-to-play apps escape regulation only if absolutely no real-money consideration is involved.
3. Types of PAGCOR online licences
| Licence | For whom? | May target Philippine bettors? | Typical validity | Core references |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) | Sites whose players are strictly outside the Philippines | No – local access is geo-blocked | 3 years, renewable | POGO Rules (2016, 2019, 2021) |
| Internet Gaming Licence (IGL) / Remote Gaming Platform | Domestic e-Casino, e-Bingo, sports betting, etc. | Yes – subject to age & location filters | 1-3 years | PAGCOR e-Gaming Framework (2018) |
| Gaming System Service Provider (GSSP) | Tech vendors, payment gateways, audit labs | N/A | 1-2 years | GSSP Manual (2020) |
| Supplier / Testing Laboratory Accreditation | RNG certification, hardware & content providers | N/A | 1-2 years | Rules on Gaming Suppliers (2015) |
4. Minimum legal requirements to obtain (and keep) the licence
Corporate & financial capacity
- ₱100 million paid-up capital (IGL) or US $200 000 application deposit (POGO).
- SEC registration or foreign equivalence; beneficial-ownership disclosures.
Suitability, probity & anti-money-laundering
- Fit-and-Proper checks on directors/officers; no disqualifying criminal record.
- Full compliance programme under AMLA and relevant BSP circulars.
Systems & player-protection controls
- RNG and game math certified by an independent test lab recognised by PAGCOR.
- Geolocation fences, 24/7 self-exclusion, session-timer and reality-check prompts.
Tax, licence and “regulatory fee” payments
- Advance licence fee (₱100 k–₱150 k/month for IGL; US $10 000/month for POGO).
- 5 % franchise tax on gross gaming revenues plus 2 % charitable contribution for e-Bingo.
5. Step-by-step verification of a licence
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the licence claim | Look for the PAGCOR logo, licence number and “type” (POGO, IGL, etc.) usually in the website footer. | Fraudsters often invent “certifications” that do not exist. |
| 2. Cross-check the legal name | A licence is issued to a corporate entity, not a brand. Find that entity in the Terms/Privacy pages. | Some brands share one licence; others white-label under a master licensee. |
| 3. Match against PAGCOR’s official list | Go to pagcor.ph → Regulatory → List of Licensees & Service Providers. The PDF/Excel file shows: licence no., date issued, status (Active/Suspended/Revoked) and authorised domains. | PAGCOR updates the list roughly fortnightly. |
| 4. Verify the URL or mobile-app bundle ID | The official list annexes specific domains; mirrors and clones are not automatically covered. | Scammers copy sites but point to unlicensed servers. |
| 5. Check validity dates and status | Licences lapse automatically if fees or surety bonds are unpaid. “Suspended” means all operations must stop. | Playing on a lapsed licence voids player recourse. |
| 6. Contact PAGCOR if in doubt | Licensing & Regulatory Group Hotline: +632 8521-0569; e-mail: lrg_external@pagcor.ph. Provide the licence no. and domain. | PAGCOR will confirm by e-mail—usually within 24-48 h. |
6. Red-flag indicators of an unlicensed or rogue site
- Broken or static PAGCOR seal (real seals are clickable and date-stamped).
- Licence number format errors – current numbers are 4-digit (e.g. IGL-0123-24).
- POGO claiming to serve Filipinos – strictly forbidden.
- Payments to personal bank/e-wallet accounts rather than corporate names.
- Absence of mandatory notices (18+ age gate, PAGCOR HelpLine, self-exclusion link).
7. Legal consequences
| Actor | Violation | Possible sanction |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Unlicensed or operating beyond scope | ₱300 k–₱10 million PAGCOR fine, revocation, cease-and-desist order, asset seizure, criminal charges under PD 1602/RA 9287 (illegal gambling) – up to 20 years’ imprisonment. |
| Player | Wagering on unlicensed site | Fine up to ₱90 000 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment under PD 1602; winnings confiscated. |
| Employees / Agents | Recruitment, marketing, technical support for illegal site | Immigration blacklist for foreigners; estafa or cybercrime charges for locals. |
8. Recent policy trends (2022 – May 2025)
- E-Sabong ban (May 2022) – Pagcor licences for cockpit streaming revoked after Senate investigation on disappearances.
- POGO moratorium & partial exodus (2023-2024) – Heightened raids on “cyber-scam hubs” led to >40 % decline in active POGO licences. Bills to outlaw POGOs are pending in both Houses as of May 2025.
- PAGCOR divestiture plan (2024-2025) – Government preparing to sell state-run casinos and convert PAGCOR into a pure regulator, likely tightening online-gaming oversight.
9. Practical checklist before you play
- Screenshot the licence seal linked to PAGCOR’s site, including the date.
- Verify the domain/bundle ID on PAGCOR’s current licencee list.
- Look for mandatory Responsible Gaming page, 18+ gate, PAGCOR HelpLine (#888-8790).
- Inspect payment channels – should be Philippine-accredited banks or PCI-DSS compliant gateways in the corporate name.
- Read the Terms & Conditions for dispute resolution: must state PAGCOR jurisdiction and English-language governing version.
- Keep records of bets and communications; PAGCOR’s Arbitration Unit requires documentary proof if you claim unpaid winnings.
10. Key take-aways
- A genuine PAGCOR licence is verifiable, time-limited, and domain-specific.
- POGOs cannot lawfully accept Philippine players – any site doing so is automatically suspect.
- Players share liability; ignorance is no defence.
- Verification is quick (minutes online or a short call/e-mail). Skipping it exposes you to scams, forfeiture of winnings and possible criminal penalties.
Staying on the right side of Philippine gambling law ultimately protects both your wallet and your liberty. Whenever a site’s legitimacy is unclear, verify first, play later.