Online gambling regulation in Philippines

Casino, sports betting, poker and more

Casino and sports betting are both regulated by PAGCOR licensing for domestic online operations; poker is also licensed as an online game type. Offshore POGO-style offerings were for foreign-facing play, while unlicensed operators are illegal.

Product	Status	What that means
Online casino	Licensed	—
Online sports betting	Licensed	—
Online poker	Licensed	Legal when offered on PAGCOR-licensed platforms; unlicensed/offshore sites for Filipinos are illegal.
Sweepstakes and social casinos	Not confirmed	No specific sweepstakes/social-casino regime found; these products are not clearly authorized and may fall under gambling rules if prizes are redeemable.
Prediction markets	Prohibited	Philippine Gaming Law & PAGCOR regime treat real‑money prediction markets as illegal gambling absent a PAGCOR licence; none issued to Kalshi, Polymarket, Crypto.com, Robinhood as of 2026. No specific cease‑and‑desist or lawsuit named against those platforms; activity is simply unlicensed and illegal under PAGCOR authority.
Mystery boxes	Unregulated	No Philippine gambling-law or regulator source in the results addresses paid mystery boxes/loot boxes; treat as unregulated on current evidence. No specific PH law or PAGCOR decision found.

Advertising unlicensed gambling in Philippines

Prohibited. Section 19 of Presidential Decree No. 1869 criminalises operating, maintaining or participating in unauthorised games of chance; promotion of such illegal operations can attract criminal liability and enforcement.

Operating or participating in unauthorised games of chance is criminal under PD 1869 s.19; promotion of such operations is treated as part of illegal gambling activity. PAGCOR publicly warns that any entity claiming offshore/Internet Gaming Licensee status is fraudulent after EO 74, implying advertising such services targets illegal operations.

Regulator and law

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) — www.pagcor.ph

Presidential Decree No. 1869 (PAGCOR Charter) as amended by Republic Act No. 9487; Executive Order No. 74 (2024) banning offshore Internet Gaming Licensees.

Online casino: Licensed. Online sports betting: Licensed.

Checking a licence

The regulator publishes a register of licensed operators. PAGCOR publishes PDF lists of gaming venue licensees, accredited system administrators, and approved online gaming platforms.

https://www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/

How the black market is fought

DNS/ISP blocking orders via NTC and DICT against unlicensed sites
Criminal offences for unauthorised games of chance under PD 1869 s.19
Fines and forfeiture of equipment for illegal gambling operations
Advertising restrictions and sanctions coordinated with Ad Standards Council

Advertising rules for licensed operators

PAGCOR has tightened rules on gambling advertisements in coordination with the Ad Standards Council
Responsible Gaming Code of Practice requires promotion of responsible play and prohibition of underage gambling in marketing
Ban on use of credit cards and cryptocurrencies for betting must be reflected in marketing claims
PAGCOR oversees all gaming marketing and advertising via GLDD and other departments

Recent developments

Executive Order No. 74 (5 November 2024) bans all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations / Internet Gaming Licensees; licences cancelled effective 15 December 2024
PAGCOR launched a Guarantee Page for players to verify licensed platforms and expanded coordination with cybercrime agencies against illegal online gambling
PAGCOR banned use of credit cards and cryptocurrencies for betting and further tightened advertising rules with the Ad Standards Council

Questions

Is it illegal to advertise unlicensed gambling in Philippines?

Yes. Section 19 of Presidential Decree No. 1869 criminalises operating, maintaining or participating in unauthorised games of chance; promotion of such illegal operations can attract criminal liability and enforcement. Operating or participating in unauthorised games of chance is criminal under PD 1869 s.19; promotion of such operations is treated as part of illegal gambling activity. PAGCOR publicly warns that any entity claiming offshore/Internet Gaming Licensee status is fraudulent after EO 74, implying advertising such services targets illegal operations.

Who regulates online gambling in Philippines?

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The main law is Presidential Decree No. 1869 (PAGCOR Charter) as amended by Republic Act No. 9487; Executive Order No. 74 (2024) banning offshore Internet Gaming Licensees..

How can I check whether a gambling operator is licensed in Philippines?

The regulator publishes a register of licensed operators at https://www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/. PAGCOR publishes PDF lists of gaming venue licensees, accredited system administrators, and approved online gaming platforms.

What we could not confirm

Exact statutory provision criminalising advertising of illegal gambling not clearly identified in available sources
Specific section numbers in PD 1869 and RA 9487 governing online advertising not clearly confirmed
Whether NTC/DICT blocking is explicitly mandated in statute or implemented via administrative coordination
Whether sweepstakes/social casinos are expressly permitted, restricted, or prohibited in Philippine law.
Whether mystery boxes/loot boxes are regulated as gambling, consumer products, or prohibited games of chance.
Whether prediction markets are overseen by PAGCOR, SEC, or another regulator in the Philippines.
Exact current status of POGO/PIGO distinctions for Filipino-resident access based on 2026 primary legal text.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.