License Name
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Gaming License
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Issuing Country/Region
Philippines
Regulatory Body
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
Types of Regulated Games
Online casino games, land-based casino games, sports betting, e-Gaming, bingo, lotteries
Market Coverage
Local and, for some licenses, international (offshore for non-Philippine residents)
Regulator's Reputation
Very Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Company must be registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or be a foreign entity with a local representative
Minimum Share Capital
PHP 25 million (approximately USD 429,000) for online gaming licenses
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Detailed disclosure and due diligence for all key personnel and beneficial owners
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) regulations mandatory
Data Protection Requirements
Compliance with National Privacy Commission (NPC) data privacy laws required
Reporting Requirements
Regular financial, compliance, and operational reporting to PAGCOR
Audit Requirements
Annual independent audit required
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software must be certified by PAGCOR-accredited testing laboratories
RNG Certification
Mandatory certification for RNG and regular testing
Payment System Requirements
Use of certified and compliant payment systems
Server Location Requirements
Physical or cloud servers must be accessible to PAGCOR for monitoring and audits
Domain Name Requirements
No specific local domain requirement, but IP-blocking of Philippine access for offshore licenses required
Language Support Requirements
English mandatory; Filipino recommended for local operations
Currency Support Requirements
PHP for local, major global currencies for offshore
Legal Compliance Costs
Legal and consultant fees (varies widely; estimated at tens of thousands USD annually)
Background Checks
Comprehensive due diligence and police clearance certificates required for all key personnel
License Scope Restrictions
Some games (e.g., Jueteng, Last Two, Masiao) prohibited; offshore license excludes Philippine players
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Company must comply with local tax laws; BIR registration required
Player Data Storage Requirements
Player data must be stored in compliance with NPC privacy rules
Cross-Border Operations
Permitted for offshore licensees, but strictly excludes provision of services to Philippine residents
License Application Transparency
Due diligence, financial, and company details submitted for thorough review
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated compliance contact required within each licensee
Compliance Officer Requirement
Yes, a compliance officer responsible for regulations and AML
Local Partnership Requirements
Foreign applicants require a Philippine-registered local representative or partner
Legal Dispute Resolution
Philippine courts generally have jurisdiction; alternative dispute resolution permitted in contracts
License Transferability
Transfer not automatically permitted, requires PAGCOR approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted
Video
License Cost
USD 50,000 application fee for e-Gaming, USD 40,000 for betting licenses
Annual Fees
USD 200,000 (e-Gaming), USD 150,000 (betting) royalty/renewal fee
Income Taxes
5% of gross gaming revenue for both domestic and offshore licensees
Player Winnings Taxes
No withholding tax on player winnings for offshore licensees; mandatory compliance with local rules for onshore
Financial Guarantees
Bank guarantee of USD 250,000 required
Liquidity Requirements
Minimum paid-up capital of PHP 25 million (approx. USD 429,000); additional liquidity requirements may apply
Financial Reporting Requirements
Regular financial reports required by PAGCOR
Application Processing Time
13-18 weeks (subject to completeness and compliance)
Required Documents
SEC registration, Articles of Incorporation, business plan, AML plan, technical infrastructure documents, personal disclosure forms
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed operational and business plan required with application
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, responsible gaming, customer complaint, and operational policies required
Testing Requirements
All systems and platforms must be tested and certified through PAGCOR-accredited labs
Certification Requirements
Compliance with PAGCOR-acknowledged gaming standards (GLI, other international norms)
Staff Qualifications
Key employees and managers must demonstrate relevant industry qualifications and clean background
Physical Office Requirements
Lease agreement or proof of office ownership in the Philippines required
Local Representative Requirements
Local agent or company (for foreign entities) required
Marketing Restrictions
Advertising limitations apply (minors, unregistered operators, misleading promotions prohibited)
Responsible Gaming Measures
Mandatory policies and tools, including deposit/self-exclusion limits
Self-Exclusion System
Licensed operators must maintain a self-exclusion scheme
Age Verification Procedures
Strict age verification for all player registrations (21+ for casinos)
KYC Procedures
Mandatory KYC for all customers per AMLC rules
Customer Support Standards
Availability in English and Filipino
Complaint Handling Procedures
Formal complaint procedure with escalation to PAGCOR
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds required
Payout Timelines
Standard industry payout timelines mandated; non-compliance may result in penalties
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Clear, fair, and transparent bonus conditions must be set
Permitted Games List
All casino and betting games except for specifically prohibited games (e.g., Jueteng, Masiao, Last Two)
Betting Limits
Operator-determined, subject to regulatory review
RTP Requirements
Minimum return-to-player stipulated for certain game types per certification
Jackpot Regulations
Progressive jackpot rules apply as per certification and player fund segregation
Live Game Requirements
Live dealer games permitted with certified technology
Mobile App Compliance
Mobile platforms required to meet same compliance standards as main website
Affiliate Program Rules
Permitted, subject to strict oversight and compliance
Security Standards
Compliance with internationally recognized IT and security standards (ISO 27001 recommended)
Encryption Requirements
Mandatory SSL/TLS encryption for player data and online transactions
Backup Requirements
Daily backup and disaster recovery mechanisms required
Monitoring Systems
24/7 monitoring and reporting system access for PAGCOR
Operation Logging
Full audit trail logging required by operators
Anti-Fraud Systems
Real-time fraud detection and prevention systems required
API Integration Standards
Must meet security and compliance standards
Hosting Requirements
Servers must be accessible for PAGCOR audits and monitoring; cloud hosting permitted with approval
CDN Usage
Permitted for site speed, must comply with data storage and access rules
Scalability Requirements
Infrastructure must scale to meet regulatory and operational needs
Uptime Requirements
High-availability (99+%) expected
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical support required for gaming operations
License Duration
Usually initial period of 3 years, subject to renewal after compliance review
Renewal Procedure
Renewal application with updated compliance and financial documents; renewal fee applies
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, suspension, or revocation of license; criminal prosecution in severe breaches
Ownership Change Rules
All ownership changes must be disclosed to and approved by PAGCOR
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Prior notification and approval required
Subcontractor Regulations
Key service providers subject to approval and compliance checks
Branding Requirements
PAGCOR logo display required, responsible gaming messages mandatory
Intellectual Property Protection
Compliance with Philippine IP laws required
Dispute Arbitration
Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms permitted, subject to regulatory oversight
Insurance Requirements
Not mandated, but recommended (for business continuity/risk management)
Charity Contributions
Not mandated by regulator
Staff Training Requirements
Ongoing training on compliance, AML, and responsible gaming policies required
Innovation Support
No regulatory sandbox; must comply with current regulations
Sustainability Initiatives
No specific requirements mandated
Accessibility Standards
Encouraged, not presently mandated
Multilingual Support
English required, other languages optional/encouraged for local market
Cryptocurrency Support
Not permitted under current PAGCOR rules
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted under sports betting license, subject to PAGCOR approval
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Subject to PAGCOR’s prior approval and separate licensing
Official Address
PAGCOR Corporate Office, 5th Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/PAGCOROfficial
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/PAGCOROfficial
Departments
Licensing and Regulatory Group, Compliance, AML, Corporate Communications, Legal, Social Responsibility
FAQ Question 1
What is the Philippine Licence for Online/Offline Casinos and Betting?
FAQ Answer 1
The Philippine Licence for Online and Offline Casinos and Betting authorizes operators to conduct legal gambling activities, including land-based casinos, sports betting, and interactive gaming, within or from the Philippines. It ensures that operations meet the country’s regulatory standards for fairness, integrity, and responsible gambling.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the Philippine Licence for Online/Offline Casinos and Betting?
FAQ Answer 2
This license is issued by the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) of the Philippines, the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing and licensing all gambling activities within the country.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining the Philippine Licence for Online/Offline Casinos and Betting?
FAQ Answer 3
Costs vary depending on the type and scale of the gaming operation. Fees generally include a substantial application fee, annual licensing fees, and revenue-based regulatory charges. For large-scale casino operations, licensing costs can reach several hundred thousand US dollars annually, with additional expenses for compliance, technology certification, and ongoing audits.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for the Philippine Licence for Online/Offline Casinos and Betting?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include incorporation or registration in the Philippines, proof of financial capability, comprehensive background checks for owners and executives, submission of detailed operational and security plans, installation of approved gaming systems, and strict adherence to anti-money laundering regulations. Licensees must also implement responsible gambling programs, maintain accurate financial reporting, and undergo regular inspections and audits by the NGCB.