Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Licensed Online Casinos and information on Philippines Regulatory Body 2026

Established back in 1977, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is responsible for licensing and monitoring both online and land-based casinos in the country. Many renowned casino sites operating in the country are licensed by PAGCOR.

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Profile
Name Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
AKA PAGCOR
URL Pagcor.ph
Jurisdiction Philippines
Founded 1977
Type Local

Overview

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, also known as PAGCOR is a government-run entity responsible for regulating the Philippines gambling industry. PAGCOR was founded back in 1977. The regulatory body is based in Metro Manilla. At the time of writing this, PAGCOR has over 11,000 employees. It operates through Decree No. 1869. Gambling has been legal in the county since 1975. Online gambling is also legal and there are over 50 online gambling operators in the country licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

PAGCOR was established as a result of Presidential Decree No, during the Martial Law. President Ferdinand Marcos signed this particular legislation. Back in the day, the main responsibility of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation was to work on combating illegal practices related to gambling and prevent illegally-operating casinos and gambling venues from offering their services and products.

In 1977, upon its founding, PAGCOR signed an agreement with the PCOC (Philippine Casino Operators Corporation) and the two agencies together managed the blossoming gambling scene in Manila Bay. However, one of the biggest floating casinos in the area was gone after a major fire in 1979. This is when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation signed a new partnership deal with the Philippine Casino Operators Corporation to run a new land-based casino located on Imelda Avenue. 

Back in 1983, PAGCOR was tasked by the government to conduct and operate all casinos and gaming pools in the local area. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation was then reorganized a couple of years later and the reorganization included a few new responsibilities, such as fostering the country’s economic growth through different gambling activities. 

Today, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is responsible for overseeing and regulating many different gambling activities in the Philippines, including:

  • Online Casinos 
  • Sports Betting
  • Electronic Games
  • Bingo Games
  • Offshore Gaming
  • Poker Games

PAGCOR has its own casinos as well as a number of VIP slot clubs across the country. The Philippines Regulatory Body is also responsible for monitoring over 180 bingo halls. Privately owned and operated casinos and e-games cafes are also under its supervision and regulation. PAGCOR has been given an additional 25 years to regulate and oversee games of chance. They can also issue licenses to land-based and online gambling venues and collaborate with private entities that want to work in the Manila Bay Entertainment City area.

When it comes to the application process to obtain a remote gaming license from PAGCOR, all the details are mentioned on the official website. As detailed, the application process starts with the operator submitting a Letter of Intent expressing their desire to enter the growing Philippines online gambling scene. Each letter must be addressed to the commission’s CEO and Chairman. Each letter also needs to include all the licensing application documents. 

Only applicants that have sent all the required information proceed with the next step which is the submission of payments and application fees. The cost of obtaining an offshore gaming license for an online casino is $200,000. Getting an offshore gaming license to run a sports betting site costs $150,000. Operators wanting to run both an online casino and a sports betting site must invest $300,000 in licensing fees. 

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FAQ

The main gambling regulatory body in the Philippines has been around since 1977. The regulatory body is based in Metro Manilla and it employs over 11,000 experts and professionals.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is responsible for issuing gambling licenses and permits to both online and land-based gambling facilities, including casinos and sports betting sites. The Philippines Regulatory Body is also responsible for fostering the growth of the country’s economy, promoting responsible gambling tools and practices, preventing gambling-related criminal activities, and more.

The cost of obtaining an offshore gaming license to operate an online casino is $200,000. The cost is slightly lower set at $150,000 for online sports betting sites. Operators that want an offshore gambling license to operate both an online casino and a sports betting site need to invest $300,000 in licensing fees.

On the official PAGCOR website, you will find a list of all online gambling operators licensed to operate.

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