The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Philippines.
Established in 1977 and governed by its charter under Presidential Decree No. 1869, as amended, PAGCOR has evolved alongside the country’s gambling industry. Its regulatory responsibilities now extend beyond traditional land-based casinos to include authorized forms of electronic and online gaming, sports betting, online poker, and other regulated gaming activities.
Today, the agency occupies a unique position in the Philippine gambling market, serving as both a regulator and gaming operator. It regulates and licenses private gaming businesses while also operating government-owned casinos under the Casino Filipino brand. However, the government has proposed privatizing PAGCOR’s casino operations, which would ultimately allow the corporation to focus primarily on its regulatory role.
Overall, Philippine gambling laws establish a tightly regulated market, with the government exercising broad authority over the licensing, supervision, and enforcement of many forms of legal gambling in the country.
Below, we detail the agency’s authority, regulatory responsibilities, and role in overseeing the Philippine gambling landscape while promoting responsible gambling practices.
PAGCOR’s Responsibilities
PAGCOR’s responsibilities include three main mandates: regulate gaming, generate government revenue, and support tourism/nation-building. Below is a full list and brief overview of what they do and how they provide oversight.
Licensing and regulating gaming
PAGCOR issues licenses and establishes rules for casinos and various authorized gaming activities within its jurisdiction. Its regulatory units oversee casino licensing, electronic games/e-bingo, sports betting, gaming systems, poker, slot machines, and related gaming personnel and suppliers.
Monitoring and enforcing compliance
It oversees licensed operators to make sure they comply with gaming regulations and other applicable requirements. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation also has units dealing with monitoring/enforcement and anti-money-laundering supervision.
Promoting responsible gambling
PAGCOR requires gaming establishments to comply with its Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, including measures intended to prevent underage gambling, gambling-related harm, and access by restricted persons.
Generating revenue for the Philippine government
A major part of PAGCOR’s mandate is generating funds to support government socio-civic and national development programs. Its earnings are distributed to the National Treasury and various government programs according to its charter and other laws.
Supporting tourism and nation-building
Promoting the Philippine tourism industry is expressly part of the agency’s three-pronged mandate, while its CSR activities support government nation-building programs.
Operating gaming activities where legally authorized
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation charter gives it authority not only to regulate and license but also to operate certain games of chance and casino gaming, although its authority is limited where another government body has jurisdiction under a special law or franchise.
Does PAGCOR Own Casinos?
Yes. The corporation owns and operates government-run casinos in the Philippines, primarily under the Casino Filipino brand.
That means the agency has historically had two roles:
- Operator: It operates its own Casino Filipino casinos and gaming venues.
- Regulator: It licenses and regulates many privately owned casinos and other gaming operators.
While the government has announced that they will sell all government owned casinos by 2026, the sale has not been finalized. PAGCOR’s current corporate profile still explicitly says it operates Casino Filipino branches. Its listed main operations include Angeles, Ilocos Norte, Olongapo, Malabon Grand, Tagaytay, Cebu, Bacolod, and Grand Regal (Davao), along with multiple satellite operations.
Does PAGCOR Regulate Online Casinos?
Yes. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation regulates online casinos and other forms of online gaming in the Philippines.
For domestic online gaming, PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD) regulates activities including eCasino games, eBingo, sports betting, online poker, specialty games, and numeric games. It licenses operators/venues, accredits gaming system administrators and service providers, and approves the platforms and games that can be offered.
However, offshore gaming is different. The sites found in our PH online casino guide are regulated from their country of origin where they are subject to strict compliance checks and licensing from trusted international regulators.
Following Executive Order No. 74, state-regulated Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) were banned, and PAGCOR states that all Internet Gaming Licensee and Authorized Provider licenses for offshore gaming were canceled effective December 15, 2024.
Are Online Casinos Still Available In The Philippines in 2026
Yes, despite the government’s crackdown on their own regulated offshore gambling program (POGO), offshore sites from other international brands is still available to PH players. The sites featured in our reviews guide at https://www.legalcasinosphilippines.com/reviews/ are still accessible and legally operating in their countries of origin.
There are also local eGames offered by select licensed casinos. In 2023, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation officially announced that it intended to launch its own online casino called “casinofilipino.com”, initially targeting Q1 2024. The concept was to bring Casino Filipino games online, including digital versions of traditional casino games. However, the idea has not came to fruition and future plans are unknown.
Casino Games Online
Online casino games in the Philippines expand on the gaming options traditionally available at land-based casinos and other local gaming facilities. Many of the sites we review and recommend offer a broader selection of gambling options, including digital poker rooms, online sports betting, live dealer games, and more alongside their standard casino libraries. Some of the most popular online casino games include:
FAQs
Are all online casinos accessible in the Philippines PAGCOR licensed?
No. The access of a website or app does not mean PAGCOR has authorized it. Players should verify that an operator/brand and its domain are legitimate and authorized.
How can I check whether an online casino is PAGCOR authorized?
PAGCOR publishes regulatory information and lists concerning licensed/accredited gaming businesses on its official website. Checking the exact brand and domain, rather than relying on a PAGCOR logo displayed by a website, is important.
Can an online casino use the PAGCOR logo to prove it’s legitimate?
A displayed logo alone should not be treated as proof. PAGCOR has warned about fraudulent operators and counterfeit PAGCOR documentation, so authorization should be independently verified through PAGCOR.
Are POGOs still legal in the Philippines?
No. Following Executive Order No. 74, offshore gaming operations were banned. PAGCOR states that all Internet Gaming Licensee and Authorized Provider licenses were cancelled effective December 15, 2024.
Is a PAGCOR-regulated online casino the same thing as a POGO?
No. This is an important distinction. Domestic PAGCOR-regulated eGaming/eCasino operations continue to exist, whereas the former offshore/POGO licensing regime was terminated.
Does the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation regulate sports betting?
Yes. Sports betting falls within the agency’s electronic gaming regulatory responsibilities.
Does PAGCOR regulate online poker?
Yes. Online poker is specifically included among the gaming categories overseen by PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department.
Does PAGCOR regulate gaming suppliers and technology companies?
Yes. The regulatory structure includes supplier accreditation and the evaluation/accreditation of various service providers, gaming systems, and platforms.
What is the minimum gambling age under current gambling laws?
The countries responsible gaming information states that persons under 21 are prohibited from gaming.
Can someone voluntarily ban themselves from PAGCOR-regulated gambling?
Yes. PAGCOR operates a self-exclusion program. Current options include exclusion periods of six months, one year and five years.
Can a family member request someone’s exclusion from gambling?
Under the current Responsible Gaming framework, family exclusion/banning is available for qualifying relationships such as spouses, children and parents.
What is PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming program?
PAGCOR requires regulated gaming establishments to follow its Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, designed to reduce gambling-related harm, prevent gambling addiction and prohibit underage gambling.
Can PAGCOR suspend or penalize a gaming operator?
Yes. The government agency establishes and enforces licensing conditions, regulatory standards, offenses and penalties for regulated operators. Its stated objectives include enforcing license terms, maintaining game integrity, promoting responsible gambling, and preventing licensed venues from being used for illegal activities.