The Philippines has a rich history of gambling, rooted in its colonial past. Before gaining independence in 1946, gambling on the archipelago was regulated by Spanish and then American colonial authorities. After independence, the Philippine government began to form its own gambling policy.

A key moment in gambling regulation was the creation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in 1977 by decree of President Ferdinand Marcos. PAGCOR was given the authority to regulate and license casinos and other forms of gambling. This marked the beginning of the formation of the modern gambling regulation system in the Philippines.

In 2016, another important step was taken – the creation of a special economic zone for gambling business POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), which opened doors for foreign online casino operators. This decision significantly increased the attractiveness of the Philippines as a jurisdiction for obtaining gambling licenses.

Types of gambling licenses in the Philippines

There are several types of licenses for gambling business in the Philippines:

• Land-based casino license: allows opening and managing physical casinos in the country.
• Online casino license (POGO): gives the right to provide online gambling services to players outside the Philippines.
• Sports betting license: allows organizing sports betting.
• Lottery and bingo license: regulates lotteries and bingo games.

Obtaining a gambling license in the Philippines

• Choosing the type of license and preparing necessary documents.
• Submitting an application to PAGCOR or the relevant regulatory body.
• Undergoing due diligence.
• Paying license fees and making a deposit (if required).
• Receiving the license and starting operations.

Gambling license holders in the Philippines must comply with a number of requirements:

• Maintaining minimum company capital.
• Regular reporting to regulatory authorities.
• Compliance with responsible gambling rules and protection of players' rights.
• Implementation of measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Payment of taxes and fees in accordance with Philippine legislation.

Obtaining a gambling license in the Philippines is key to legal and successful business in the gambling sphere. Given the changing regulatory environment, we recommend contacting IT-OFFSHORE experts. Our lawyers monitor changes in legislation and will help adapt your business to new requirements.