Pagcor to launch mobile app in December for verifying licensed online gaming sites
App development approved on 8 October; DCI to build and operate at no cost under five-year deal
Key Takeaways
- Pagcor will launch a mobile app in December 2026 to let players verify Philippines-licensed online gaming platforms.
- Pagcor's board approved the app's development and implementation on 8 October 2026 with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center Inc (DCI) as proposed partner.
- DCI will handle development, hosting, operation, maintenance and technical support at no cost to Pagcor, subject to a proof of concept.
- Pagcor will run a six-month assessment of the proof of concept and may terminate the arrangement if DCI fails to address identified deficiencies.
- The partnership is planned for five years and Pagcor is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center on enforcement.
Pagcor will launch a mobile application in December 2026 to allow players to verify which online gaming platforms are licensed in the Philippines and to help them avoid illegal gambling sites. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation said its board approved development and implementation on 8 October 2026 and that the app was first announced by Pagcor chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco in August 2026.
Development, proof of concept and assessment
Pagcor said the proposed partner is Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center Inc (DCI). ``DCI will handle the app’s development, hosting, operation, maintenance, and technical support at no cost to Pagcor,'' the regulator wrote. Before full-scale implementation, DCI must present a proof of concept to Pagcor for evaluation and acceptance. Pagcor will run a six-month assessment of the proof of concept covering the platform’s proposed features, system architecture, security controls and overall feasibility.
Contract term and termination rights
The partnership between Pagcor and DCI is planned to run for five years and ``may be renewed upon mutual written agreement''. Pagcor may terminate the arrangement if DCI fails to "address deficiencies identified during the evaluation period within a reasonable time".
Enforcement coordination
Pagcor said the app is intended to strengthen its efforts to protect the public from illegal online gambling. The regulator is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center to bolster enforcement against illegal online operators nationwide.
"This platform will give players a reliable way to verify which online gaming platforms are licensed by Pagcor," said Alejandro Tengco.
"We want the public to make informed choices and avoid falling prey to illegal operators," he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Pagcor's verification app be available to players?
The app is scheduled to launch in December 2026. Pagcor announced the December launch in a 20 October 2026 press release and said the board approved development on 8 October 2026.
Who will develop and operate the Pagcor app?
Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center Inc (DCI) is the proposed partner to develop and operate the app. Pagcor stated that DCI will handle development, hosting, operation, maintenance and technical support at no cost to Pagcor, pending an accepted proof of concept.
What evaluation will the app undergo before full-scale implementation?
Pagcor requires DCI to present a proof of concept and will run a six-month assessment examining features, system architecture, security controls and overall feasibility. Pagcor may terminate the arrangement if DCI fails to address deficiencies identified during that evaluation.
How long is the agreement between Pagcor and DCI intended to last?
The partnership is planned to run for five years and may be renewed upon mutual written agreement, according to Pagcor's release.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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