🇵🇭 Philippines · Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
Philippines Online Gambling Licence — 2026
Philippines historical Asian iGaming hub. POGO offshore-operator framework phased out by end-2024 by Marcos administration; PIGO domestic licensing continues.
Tier 3 — Emerging / recently liberalisedThe Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) regulated Asian iGaming through two principal frameworks: PIGO (Philippines Inland Gaming Operators) for domestic Philippine customers, and POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) for international markets. The POGO framework attracted hundreds of operators serving primarily Chinese, Asian, and global markets from Philippine offices.
In July 2024, President Marcos ordered the complete phase-out of POGO licences by 31 December 2024 following high-profile scandals linking POGO operations to scam centres and human-trafficking. The PIGO framework for domestic Philippine customers continues.
Quick facts
| Regulator | Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation ↗ |
|---|---|
| Tier | Tier 3 — Emerging / recently liberalised |
| Licence types | PAGCOR domestic licence (PIGOs — Philippines Inland Gaming Operators), POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) — phased out by end-2024 |
| Application cost | USD 200,000+ application |
| Annual cost | USD 250,000+ annual + 5% of GGR |
| Gaming tax | 5% of GGR + corporate tax |
| Corporate tax | 25% standard |
| Substance | Substantial Philippine operating presence; PAGCOR substance review |
| Timeline | 6-12 months |
Pros
- Established Asian iGaming jurisdiction
- PAGCOR has institutional supervisory experience
Cons
- POGO offshore licensing being eliminated (deadline end-2024)
- High cost vs offshore alternatives
- Reputational concerns from POGO-era scandals
Best for
- Asia-focused operators with Philippine presence
- Domestic Philippine iGaming
POGO phase-out — the end of an era
POGOs were established in 2016 to legitimise offshore gambling operations from Philippine territory. At peak, approximately 60 POGO licensees employed 30,000+ workers in Manila and other Philippine cities, with revenues serving primarily Chinese and Asian customers. The framework attracted criticism from multiple angles: alleged links to human-trafficking, money-laundering concerns, and diplomatic friction with China. In July 2024, Marcos ordered complete POGO phase-out by 31 December 2024 — all licences revoked, all operations to cease, all foreign workers to repatriate.
PIGO domestic framework
PIGO authorises gambling operations serving Philippine domestic customers — online casino, sports betting, e-bingo. Substantive PAGCOR supervision, real Philippine operational presence required, 5% GGR contribution to PAGCOR. The domestic market is comparatively small but stable; PIGO licensees serve approximately 5 million Philippine online gambling customers.
Application process
- PAGCOR pre-engagement and PIGO category selection
- Philippine operating company formation
- Substantial substance investment (local management, AML team, technical infrastructure)
- Application file with business plan and technical specifications
- PAGCOR review — 6-12 months
- Licence grant for PIGO domestic operations
Operational realities
Capital requirements
PHP 100M+ minimum capital for PIGO licensees. Audited Philippine financial statements.
Player protection
PAGCOR responsible-gambling framework, self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit limits, age-verification.
Banking & payment processing
Major Philippine banks (BDO, BPI, Metrobank) bank PAGCOR-licensed operators. International payment processing more complex.
B2B vs B2C licensing
PIGO framework focused on B2C. B2B platform providers serve PIGO licensees under separate commercial arrangements.
Recent developments (2025-2026)
Marcos administration ordered phase-out of all POGO licences by 31 December 2024 following alleged links to scams and human-trafficking; PIGO domestic licensing continues.
How it compares
Versus other Asian: PAGCOR-domestic is one of the few regulated Asian iGaming frameworks. Most Asian markets remain unregulated or grey-market.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Philippine POGO licences?
President Marcos ordered complete phase-out of all POGO licences by 31 December 2024 following scandals linking POGO operations to scam centres and human-trafficking. All POGO operations have ceased.
Can I still get a Philippine gambling licence?
Yes — PIGO (Philippines Inland Gaming Operators) for domestic Philippine customers continues. POGO offshore licensing has been eliminated.