Online gambling in the Philippines is legal when it is offered by an operator licensed by PAGCOR, the government’s gaming regulator, and when the player is 21 or over and not in a barred group. Everything else, from unlicensed websites to online cockfighting, is illegal. The rules have changed a lot since 2024: offshore gaming was banned, e-wallets removed their gambling links, and new limits on promotions arrived. This guide explains where things stand as of October 2026.
- PAGCOR licenses and regulates online casino-style games, e-bingo and sports betting for players in the Philippines.
- Offshore gaming (POGOs) was banned by Executive Order No. 74 in November 2024. Online cockfighting (e-sabong) remains suspended.
- Since August 2025, e-wallets no longer link to gambling sites inside their apps. Further BSP payment rules have been proposed.
- Bills to ban online gambling have been filed in Congress. Check our updates before relying on any rule.
Who regulates online gambling in the Philippines?
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) | Licenses and regulates casino and online gaming for the Philippine market; also runs its own Casino Filipino branches |
| PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) | Runs lotteries such as Lotto and STL; not a casino regulator |
| BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) | Regulates banks and e-wallets, including how they handle gambling payments |
| Economic zone authorities (such as CEZA) | Have had their own gaming licensing powers within their zones |
| DICT, NTC and CICC | Work with PAGCOR against illegal online gambling sites |
For players, PAGCOR is the one that matters. Our guide on what PAGCOR means for online casino players explains its role in detail. Lotteries are covered in our PCSO lotto guide.
What is legal
- Playing at a PAGCOR-licensed online platform, if you are 21 or older and not in a barred group.
- Online casino games such as slots and live dealer baccarat, roulette and blackjack offered by licensed operators, using games PAGCOR has approved.
- Licensed e-bingo and sports betting, offered under PAGCOR licences.
- Lotteries run by PCSO.
Who cannot play
PAGCOR’s responsible gaming rules prohibit these groups from gambling:
- persons under 21
- officials and employees of the national government, local government units, state and local universities and colleges, and GOCCs with original charters
- members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police
- people listed in PAGCOR’s National Database of Restricted Persons, including those who have self-excluded
- employees of gaming licensees, and financiers or loan sharks
What is illegal or banned
- Unlicensed online casinos that take bets from players in the Philippines. You have no regulator to turn to if they refuse to pay.
- Offshore gaming operators (POGOs and IGLs). These served players outside the country. President Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74 in November 2024 banning them.
- E-sabong (online cockfighting). Executive Order No. 9, signed on 28 December 2022, continued the nationwide suspension of live-streamed cockfights and online or off-cockpit betting on them. Traditional licensed cockfighting in cockpits is not covered by the order.
How to tell a legal site from an illegal one
- Find the operator name and domain in the site’s footer.
- Check them against PAGCOR’s list of accredited gaming system administrators and registered brands and domain names, published on its Electronic Gaming Licensing Department page.
- Look for responsible gaming tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion.
- Avoid any site that asks you to pay a personal e-wallet number or a chat “agent”.
Our step-by-step guide covers each check: how to tell if an online casino is legit. For a practical walkthrough of signing up at a licensed site, see our beginner’s guide to online casinos in the Philippines.
PAGCOR’s board approved development of a mobile app that lets players check whether an online gaming platform is licensed, and in October 2026 PAGCOR said it is targeting a December launch.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
| When | Change |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | PAGCOR ordered online gaming licensees and suppliers to remove gambling billboards and other out-of-home ads, with full removal by 15 August 2025. |
| July 2025 | Senator Bong Go filed Senate Bill No. 686, the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, which would ban online betting. Other ban and restriction bills have also been filed. |
| August 2025 | The BSP ordered banks and e-wallets it supervises to remove in-app links to online gambling. GCash and Maya disabled their in-app gaming features from 16 August 2025. |
| August 2025 | A proposed BSP circular would further restrict e-wallet payments to online gambling. It was reported as a proposal, not a final rule. |
| May 2026 | PAGCOR capped player rebates at 1.5% of turnover or deposits and cashback at 15% of net losses for electronic games, with programs needing prior approval. |
| May 2026 | PAGCOR launched the 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline, (02) 8248-9568. |
| September 2026 | A draft BSP circular on merchant vetting was reported, under which gambling merchants could be accepted only through direct arrangements with stricter checks. |
| October 2026 | PAGCOR said it is targeting a December launch for its licence-verification app. |
As of our last check on 26 October 2026, we found no report that a bill banning online gambling had become law. [LEGAL TO CONFIRM BEFORE PUBLISHING.] We will update this page when the rules change.
Payments after the e-wallet changes
E-wallets removed their in-app gambling shortcuts in August 2025, but whether a given licensed operator still accepts e-wallet payments through its own site depends on the operator and on the BSP rules in force. Bank transfers, QR Ph and over-the-counter cash-in are other options some operators list. Read:
- E-wallet casinos explained: GCash vs Maya vs GrabPay
- Safe online casino payment methods in the Philippines
How big is the market?
PAGCOR’s own revenue for January to June 2026 fell 26.64% to ₱43.32 billion, according to GMA News. Revenue from eGames, eBingo and bingo grantees fell 41.85% to ₱18.60 billion. PAGCOR’s chairman attributed the first-half decline to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East dampening consumer spending, with conditions improving in the second quarter.
Our take
In our view, the direction of travel since 2024 is clear: tighter control of how online gambling is promoted and paid for, alongside more tools to help players identify licensed sites and get help. A full ban has been proposed but, as far as we can find, has not passed; PAGCOR’s stated approach has been to regulate rather than prohibit. For players, the practical rules have not changed: play only at PAGCOR-licensed sites, check the domain yourself, and expect payment options to keep shifting.
FAQ
Is online gambling legal in the Philippines?
Yes, at PAGCOR-licensed platforms for players who are 21 or over and not in a barred group. Unlicensed sites and e-sabong are illegal.
Can government employees gamble online?
No. PAGCOR’s rules bar officials and employees of national and local government, state universities and colleges, and chartered GOCCs, as well as members of the AFP and PNP.
Is online sabong legal?
No. Executive Order No. 9 (December 2022) continued the nationwide suspension of e-sabong, including online and off-cockpit betting on live-streamed cockfights.
Can I still use GCash or Maya for online casinos?
The in-app gambling links were removed in August 2025. Whether you can pay a licensed operator by e-wallet through its own site depends on the operator and current BSP rules. See our GCash casino guide.
What happens if I play on an unlicensed site?
You lose the protection of a regulator. If the site refuses to pay or misuses your data, PAGCOR cannot step in, and you may be dealing with a scam. See online casino scams.
Play responsibly
Gambling is entertainment, not a way to earn money. If gambling is affecting your health, money or relationships, call PAGCOR’s 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline at (02) 8248-9568. You can also request self-exclusion through PAGCOR. Read our responsible gambling guide.
This site is for 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Sources
- PAGCOR, Responsible Gaming page (age, barred persons, helplines), accessed 26 Oct 2026: pagcor.ph
- PAGCOR, Electronic Gaming Licensing Department page, accessed 26 Oct 2026: pagcor.ph/regulatory/cegs.php
- Executive Order No. 9, s. 2022 (e-sabong), via Lawphil: lawphil.net
- Philstar, “Marcos issues EO banning POGOs”, 8 Nov 2024: philstar.com
- AsGam, PAGCOR orders removal of billboards and out-of-home ads, 11 Jul 2025: asgam.com
- GGRAsia, Senator files bill to ban online gambling (SB 686), 18 Jul 2025: ggrasia.com
- Inquirer Technology, GCash and Maya suspend gaming access from 16 Aug 2025: technology.inquirer.net
- Journal News, proposed BSP circular on e-wallet gambling payments, 28 Aug 2025: journalnews.com.ph
- BusinessWorld, PAGCOR caps rebate programs, 13 May 2026: bworldonline.com
- AGBrief, PAGCOR launches 24/7 problem gambling helpline, 27 May 2026: agbrief.com
- GMA News, PAGCOR revenues down 26.64% in H1 2026, 30 Jul 2026: gmanetwork.com
- Astig.ph, draft BSP merchant-vetting circular, 17 Sep 2026: astig.ph
- The Manila Times, PAGCOR verification app, 20 Oct 2026: manilatimes.net
Last updated: 30 October 2026
