License Name
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) License / Land-Based Casino License – PAGCOR
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Issuing Country/Region
Philippines
Regulatory Body
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
Types of Regulated Games
Land-based casinos; online casino (RNG, live dealer), sports betting, e-bingo, poker, slots, integrated resort gaming
Market Coverage
Local and International (online/offshore only for foreign customers)
Regulator's Reputation
Good
Legal Entity Requirements
SEC-registered Philippine company (land-based and offshore both require registration in the Philippines)
Minimum Share Capital
PHP 25 million (approx. USD 440,000) for offshore; land-based varies by project size
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Background checks for all key persons; no specific nationality/residency requirements disclosed for all license types
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Strict AML and CTF compliance per AMLA and implementing rules; KYC, reporting, employee training enforced
Data Protection Requirements
Data protection per Philippine laws; Data Privacy Act of 2012 applies; player privacy and secure handling required
Reporting Requirements
Regular reports to PAGCOR on operations, monthly gross gaming revenue, incidents
Audit Requirements
Financial and compliance audits required; subject to spot and annual audits
Software Certification Requirements
Certifiable and testable gaming software; RNG certification mandatory
RNG Certification
Required for RNG-based games; must submit certification from accredited testing labs
Payment System Requirements
Use only authorized, secure payment providers; all must cooperate with AML controls
Server Location Requirements
Servers must be hosted in the Philippines (offshore/online gaming)
Domain Name Requirements
Must use approved domain; no explicit local domain requirement but in regulator’s control
Language Support Requirements
Platform must support English (main language of regulation)
Currency Support Requirements
Philippine Peso for land-based; offshore allowed to use foreign currencies
Legal Compliance Costs
Application/legal fees ($15,000–40,000 USD application; license/renewal $50,000–250,000 USD annually)
Background Checks
Mandatory probity/fit & proper checks for major shareholders, directors, key employees
License Scope Restrictions
Offshore operators must not offer services to Philippine citizens or clients in restricted countries; land-based must abide by licence game type list
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Licensees subject to GGR-based and corporate taxes; special tax rates for POGOs apply
Player Data Storage Requirements
Player/account data must be stored securely in compliance with Philippine data privacy laws
Cross-Border Operations
Offshore licensees only allowed to serve non-Philippines customers; cross-border operations subject to host country rules
License Application Transparency
Public listing of licensees; requirements/policies are published but individual decisions may not be public
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated with application; ongoing relationship manager after approval
Compliance Officer Requirement
Compliance/AML officer required for all substantial license holders
Local Partnership Requirements
Not generally mandatory unless specified for land-based/IR projects
Legal Dispute Resolution
Disputes handled via Philippine courts; regulator may provide mediation
License Transferability
Not permitted without express PAGCOR approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted (primary licensees only)
License Cost
USD 15,000–40,000 (application); annual license fee ranges from USD 50,000 to 250,000 depending on model
Annual Fees
Based on gross gaming revenue; 30% for land-based, 25–30% for online/IR-linked licensees
Income Taxes
GGR-based and income tax regimes; POGOs taxed at 5% on entire gross gaming revenues
Player Winnings Taxes
Not generally withheld; varies for certain domestic wins
Financial Guarantees
Performance bonds/cash deposits are required for most license types
Liquidity Requirements
Must demonstrate capital adequacy throughout operation
Financial Reporting Requirements
Detailed monthly/annual reporting and GGR statements required
Application Processing Time
Typically 30–90 days for standard applications; complex projects may take longer
Required Documents
Incorporation documents, business plan, financials, technical certs, shareholder info, probity/background checks, AML policy, site lease
Business Plan Requirements
Mandatory, with details on model, tech, marketing, finance and compliance
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, data privacy, operations
Testing Requirements
Pre-launch technical and software system testing
Certification Requirements
All gaming systems (including RNG, payment systems) must be certified
Staff Qualifications
Key operational and compliance staff must be qualified and vetted
Physical Office Requirements
Registered office in the Philippines mandatory; operational office for land-based
Local Representative Requirements
Not mandatory for offshore, required for some land-based cases
Marketing Restrictions
Targeting minors and prohibited persons is illegal; responsible gaming messaging required
Responsible Gaming Measures
Exclusion/self-exclusion programs, RGCP obligations, advertising controls
Self-Exclusion System
National program for player-initiated and family-initiated exclusions
Age Verification Procedures
Age checks required; minors (under 21) and prohibited persons barred
KYC Procedures
Enhanced customer due diligence required for all accounts and cashouts
Customer Support Standards
Must provide responsive support to player queries in English
Complaint Handling Procedures
Mandatory system for managing complaints and disputes
Player Funds Protection
Separation of player and operational funds; secure handling
Payout Timelines
Not specified, must be reasonable as per regulator guidelines
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Must comply with fair advertising and no misleading offers; terms disclosure
Permitted Games List
Casino table games, slots, live dealer, sports betting, e-bingo, poker; certain local games prohibited for offshore
Betting Limits
Limits set per game/approval; must promote responsible gaming
RTP Requirements
Regulator reviews RTP; minimum percentage per game type not always public
Jackpot Regulations
Progressive jackpots allowed, subject to controls and approval
Live Game Requirements
Studio and live venue rules apply; subject to special certification
Mobile App Compliance
Apps must meet same compliance as web platforms; approval required
Affiliate Program Rules
Affiliates/support providers must be PAGCOR-accredited from April 2025 onward
Security Standards
Secure gaming environment required; no official ISO standard, but best practices expected
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS mandatory for sensitive data transmission
Backup Requirements
Must implement robust and regular data backups
Monitoring Systems
24/7 monitoring of gaming operations and technical infrastructure
Operation Logging
Comprehensive logs for all player and system activity
Anti-Fraud Systems
Required; operators must have systems to prevent, detect, and report fraud
API Integration Standards
APIs must be secure and regulator approved
Hosting Requirements
Servers must be in the Philippines for online/offshore gaming
CDN Usage
Not specifically mandated, but allowed for global delivery via Philippine hosting
Scalability Requirements
Must handle system load and traffic as per operational plan
Uptime Requirements
High availability and disaster recovery planning required
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical and operational support required for critical systems
License Duration
Initial license term varies by type; typically 1–3 years (probationary status may apply)
Renewal Procedure
Submit renewal application, pay fees, undergo compliance/financial review
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, suspension, or revocation; legal action for repeated or serious breaches
Ownership Change Rules
All changes must be reported and vetted by regulator
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Regulatory notification and approval required
Subcontractor Regulations
Key suppliers and contractors must be accredited by PAGCOR for iGaming/affiliate activities from 2025
Branding Requirements
Operators permitted to use own brands, but not misuse PAGCOR branding
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators responsible for IP compliance; regulator requires proof/license for key tech content
Dispute Arbitration
Philippine courts have jurisdiction; regulator may mediate for licensing issues
Insurance Requirements
Not mandated for all licensees, but strongly recommended
Charity Contributions
No mandatory contributions, encouraged for major land-based licensees
Staff Training Requirements
Annual mandatory anti-fraud, KYC, AML, and responsible gaming training
Innovation Support
Regulator supports modernization but tightly reviews AI, new technology launches
Sustainability Initiatives
Not strictly mandated, recommended for leading operators
Accessibility Standards
Must comply with basic web and facility accessibility standards
Multilingual Support
English required; Chinese and other Asian languages common for offshore
Cryptocurrency Support
Not currently permitted under PAGCOR rules
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted for approved licensees; must be explicitly listed under permitted activities
Fantasy Sports Regulations
May be approved; subject to exact license class and game structure
Official Address
PAGCOR Main Corporate Office, 6th, 7th & 8th Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
Postal Address
Same as above
Work Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm (local time)
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/PagcorPhilippines
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/pagcorph
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/c/PagcorPH
Departments
Licensing and Regulatory Group, Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD), Anti-Money Laundering Supervision and Enforcement Department (PASED), Corporate Social Responsibility Group
FAQ Question 1
What is Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) License / Land-Based Casino License – PAGCOR?
FAQ Answer 1
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) issues gaming licenses for land-based casinos and offshore (POGO) operations to regulate and supervise gambling activities in the Philippines and for foreign online players
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) License / Land-Based Casino License – PAGCOR?
FAQ Answer 2
The license is issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) under the laws of the Philippines
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) License / Land-Based Casino License – PAGCOR?
FAQ Answer 3
Application fee ranges from USD 15,000–40,000; annual license fee ranges from USD 50,000 to 250,000 plus taxes and compliance costs
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) License / Land-Based Casino License – PAGCOR?
FAQ Answer 4
Main requirements include SEC business registration, minimum capitalization, AML and KYC measures, technical and software certification, regular reporting, background and probity checks, and regulatory compliance across financial, operational, and responsible gaming domains