The Philippines is a major Asian licensing base. PAGCOR both regulates and operates gaming, issuing domestic licences as well as the offshore licences that serve players outside the country.
Regulatory framework
PAGCOR’s charter, supplemented by recent executive orders, governs land-based casinos, electronic gaming and offshore operations. A 2024–2025 crackdown has rebranded POGOs as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) under far stricter vetting.
Licence types
Licence typeCost / capitalTerm
Domestic eGames / iGaming LicenceTiered franchise feeRenewable
Internet Gaming Licensee (offshore)Application + gaming feesUnder review
Gaming Supplier AccreditationPer providerAnnual
Application & compliance
File corporate, ownership and integrity documentation with PAGCOR.
Pass enhanced source-of-funds and personnel screening.
Accredit platforms, suppliers and venues.
Implement KYC, AML and anti-trafficking controls.
Submit to ongoing audits and remittance reporting.
Taxation
Domestic operators pay franchise and regulatory fees plus corporate tax; offshore licensees are subject to a gaming-revenue levy and tighter remittance and reporting rules following the reform.
Player protection & compliance
Strengthened KYC and source-of-funds checks.
Self-exclusion for domestic players.
Heightened AML supervision and audits.
Worker-accreditation and anti-trafficking controls.
PAGCOR has cancelled multiple offshore licences and ordered closures where operators failed enhanced due diligence.