Illegal Gambling Laws Philippines
The Cagayan-Freeport area has its own set of laws and regulators for the region and aims to produce a self-sufficient industry and provide employment and income for the community. The First Cagayan Resort and Leisure Corporation’s primary purpose is to operate and control facilities in the Metropolis of Santa Ana and the neighboring islands in the Province of Cagayan. They also set up and control the hub with its internet servers that host web sites, gaming software, collection payment systems and much more. They also monitor all activities that contain to the licensing and operating of interactive games in their economic zone. Are Online Casinos Legal In The Philippines? You could easily do a simple Google search to find a list of online casinos that welcome players from the Philippines. This option allows you to create a digital wallet that you can fund using PHP and in turn use that e-wallet fund your online gambling account with a currency that the site uses. Outside players are targeted by Filipino online casinos while Philippine players are still allowed to play offshore legally sanctioned online casinos and sportsbooks. This gives players outside of the Philippines a sense of security knowing that these websites are tightly regulated by a government agency. The same penalty shall likewise be imposed to any person who allows his vehicle, house, building or land to be used in the operation of the illegal numbers games. G) Collector or Agent (“Cabo”, “Cobrador”, “Coriador” or variants thereof). – Any person who collects, solicits or produces bets in behalf of his/her principal for any illegal numbers game who is usually in possession of gambling paraphernalia. Our team of experts have rated and reviewed hundreds of online casinos, to bring you the latest research on the very best offerings available right now. Take a look at our toplist to see which Filipino casinos we recommend, and find out which sites have come out on top in 2025. Is Online Gambling Legal In The Philippines? Is gambling big in the Philippines? Thirty-two million Filipinos — roughly half of the 60 million adult population in the country — are gamblers, according to the latest government records. As of July 15, 2025, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has recorded 32.117 million “Filipino electronic gaming players. If an online site were licensed in the Philippines it would not be allowed to offer Filipinos its services. Most online sites that carry licenses are out of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority. All gambling activities, and activities and services directly or indirectly related to or in support of such gambling activities, conducted beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the government authority which issued the license therefor, shall be dealt with as illegal gambling. Formed in 1951, (GAB) is an organization that regulates and supervises play for pay sports and strives to prevent the formation of illegal bookies and other illegal gambling centered around combat games and amusement games. A great number of casinos and other game of chance exit and are well known worldwide. Almost all casinos in the Philippines are being operated and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). PAGCOR is a government-owned and controlled corporation and was created by Presidential Decrees A, 1067 B, 1067 C, 1399 and 1632, consolidated by Presidential Decree 1869, amended by Republic Act 9487. The law states that PAGCOR has the authority to operate and authorize, license and regulate all games of chance, games of cards and game of numbers in the country with some exceptions. Likewise it is intended to improve, promote and expand out tourism industry. Any person who shall disclose information that will lead to the arrest and final conviction of the malfactor shall be rewarded twenty percent of the cash money or articles of value confiscated or forfeited in favor of the government. “Kung may mamatay ng 48 hours kasi nalulong doon, okay lang sa atin o sayang kita (If someone dies within 48 hours because of gambling addiction, is that fine with us or is it just about the revenue?),” he said. ” she asked, citing a recent suicide of a 22-year-old in Benguet over gambling debts. Thus, Filipino residents tend to participate in the legal international gambling market, where they can partake of all the action at 18 and up in most cases. PAGCOR has a 5% franchise tax and 50% of the total winnings from gambling go towards the national government. This means that Filipino players can legally enjoy online casino gambling at destinations that are licensed, regulated and located outside of the Philippines. In addition, it is perfectly legal for players to access and bet at mobile sites as long as they are operated by licensed and regulated offshore casino operators. You can learn more about the legalities in different areas in our guide to Philippines legal casino gambling by region. Illegal gambling refers to any form of betting or wagering that operates outside the boundaries of the law. They are committed to continual improvement of online lottery logistics and disburse revenue to set up charity clinics across the region. This order was put into law in 1983 and set up for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as guidelines on how to license and regulate games of chance in the Philippines. It lists the corporate powers and operations of PAGCOR as well as any other powers, provisions and exemptions. “If big casinos say they are following regulations, that’s well and good. Yes, foreigners can legally place bets through licensed domestic sportsbooks or use offshore platforms while in the country. Signed into order to amend certain provisions of Decree No. 1602, this act increased the penalty for illegal number games. It defines the punishable acts for anyone who is caught betting, participating, maintaining or operating an illegal numbers game. Signed by then president Ferdinand Marcos in 1975, this law defines legal gambling in the Philippines and how they intend to use the revenue to build infrastructure and create facilities