Philippines

Domestic licensing and the end of POGO

PAGCOR regulates gaming within Philippine territory and licenses qualifying domestic gaming operations. Its Electronic Gaming Licensing Department covers approved products such as electronic games, sports betting, online poker and numeric games connected to registered local gaming operations.

This is different from the former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator system. After Executive Order 74, PAGCOR cancelled all Internet Gaming Licensees and authorised offshore providers from 15 December 2024. PAGCOR warns that any company or website claiming a current offshore-gaming or POGO licence is fraudulent and unauthorised.

How to verify an online platform

Use PAGCOR’s current regulatory lists and PAGCOR Guarantee service to match the exact brand, registered company and domain. A copied certificate, PAGCOR logo or licence number on the operator’s own page is not sufficient. Also check that the approval covers the product being offered.

• Use the domain or app link shown by PAGCOR, not a social-media advert.
• Check current status; old POGO certificates have no validity.
• Read bonus, bet-settlement, maximum-payout and withdrawal terms.
• Reject fixed-match, guaranteed-profit and paid recovery offers.

Age, identity and restricted players

PAGCOR’s responsible-gaming rules prohibit people under 21 from gambling and restrict additional groups, including persons in the National Database of Restricted Persons. Operators should conduct identity checks. Never send an ID through an unofficial chat or let an agent complete face verification.

PAGCOR offers self-exclusion and family-exclusion procedures across its operated and regulated sites. Self-exclusion periods include six months, one year and five years, with the first six months irrevocable.

Payments and withdrawals

Cards, bank transfers and services such as GCash or Maya may be familiar, but availability alone does not prove licensing. PAGCOR has strengthened financial safeguards, including changes to wallet and payment links. Use an account in your own name and verify the recipient before depositing.

Keep bet IDs, receipts and support messages. Stop if asked to send an extra “tax,” “insurance” or “unlock fee” to a personal account before withdrawal. Report suspected account takeover or unauthorised transfers immediately to the bank or wallet provider.

Complaints and safer play

Raise a dispute through the operator’s written process, then use PAGCOR’s current contact route when the platform is regulated. Screenshots of the domain, account record, transaction and response are important. An illegal offshore site may offer no effective local remedy.

Betting cannot guarantee income. Set deposit, time and loss limits, avoid borrowing and do not chase losses. Use time-out or PAGCOR exclusion tools early if control weakens, and seek qualified support if gambling harms finances, health or relationships.

This guide reflects PAGCOR sources reviewed in September 2026. Lists and product approvals change; verify the live PAGCOR record before registering or paying.