Online Casinos in the Philippines

Are online casinos legal in the Philippines?

When it comes to casinos and other gaming-related activities, the Philippines is pretty open-minded. In fact, it is among the top Asian countries embracing the gambling industry. You can easily tell this by looking at the number of land-based casinos operating in the country.

While land-based gambling is, by all means, legal in the Philippines, online gambling is unsettled. Residents can legally gamble online but through offshore online casinos.

Some PAGCOR casinos operate online. However, they offer a few products. Wondering what PAGCOR is? We’ll tell you about it in a few.

Notably, the Philippine online gambling laws are quite odd. It is illegal for any independent casino operator to offer online gambling services. This, however, does not apply to offshore casinos.

Clearly, these laws have no effect on the gambler. Only casino operators should be concerned. As a gambler, you are free to gamble online just like the guy in the UK is.

Over the years, there was a discussion regarding the legality of online gambling in the Philippines. A court ruling made in 2012 cleared the air, though. The ruling clarified that there is no Filipino law prohibiting online gambling.

This basically tells you that you can play as many times as you want without breaking the law. Operators, however, have to play by a different set of rules.

All casinos licensed in the Philippines must not offer any online gambling services. At least if they want to continue operating legally in the country.

Most popular slots in the Philippines

Undoubtedly, the Philippines has been completely swept up by the ongoing online gambling craze. Numerous online casinos are now flooded with thousands of players from the

Philippines.
While different Filipino players have varying interests, most of them like slot games. Table games like roulette and blackjack have their fine share of the audience but it doesn’t match that of slots.

In 2022, the following are the most popular slots in the Philippines:

Aztec Magic Bonanza

Created by BGaming, Aztec Bonanza is a 2022 release. It is a highly volatile game with an RTP of 96%. Moreover, the total paylines here are 40 while the reels and rows are 6 and 5 respectively.

The maximum possible win is 10,200x. Moreover, one spin costs between 0.2 and 25.

Regarding the theme, you’ll be taken back in time to 1427. This was a period during which the Aztec Empire was built.

The theme is reflected in the soundtrack as well. It features mournful music played on native wind instruments and jungle sounds.

The slot game has numerous features. They include the Buy Bonus, a wild symbol with a multiplier, free spins, and a scatter symbol.

There are nine high-paying symbols in addition to the scatter. The Aztec Warrior, Serpent, Aztec Woman, and Tortoise are the most valuable ones.
Landing 4 scatter symbols triggers 10 free spins. When you land 5 of them you’ll get 20 free spins. Essentially, the game is not only fun but also rewarding.

Temple Tumble

With a hit frequency of 24.76, Temple Tumble is a video slot released in 2019. It’s an adventure-themed game with high volatility and an RTP of 96.25%.

Temple Tumble has a whopping 46,656 paylines. The total reels are 6 while the rows are 6 as well. However, the minimum and maximum bet ranges are P13.02 and P6,510 per spin.

There are exciting features available in this game. Multipliers, re-spins, free spins, cascading reels, and wild symbols are some of them.

Notably, the symbols are pretty colourful and the overall aesthetic remains vibrant. In general, the game is visually appealing.

A distinct Angkor Wat influence can be seen in the design. It has hidden Buddhas and growing tree roots. As for symbols, the adventure represents the wild symbol. It can substitute all regular symbols on the reels.

Observe the stone blocks as well. The blocks will be removed each time you succeed. The free spins bonus game begins whenever you get rid of all of the stone blocks in the play area.

5 Lions Megaways

Among the top slots providers in the Philippines is Pragmatic Play. It has built several slot machines, one of them being 5 Lions Megaways. This game was released in 2021.

The 5 Lions Megaways slot’s RTP is 96.5% and it’s highly volatile. It has 117, 649 ways to win and 6 reels.

Additionally, the game has a top win of 5,000 your stake. The minimum and maximum wager amounts are P12 and P3,539.

Among the lavish images are a dragon, turtle, frog, and fish. These golden creatures stand out because of their colourful accents. There are gold embellishments on the playing card emblems as well.

The golden lion face represents the wild symbol. It can replace all other symbols in the game. Moreover, it increases the payout by a variable multiplier that can range from 2x to 40x.
Notably, this slot has a similar, slightly improved aesthetic compared to the previous game. The symbols are so vivid and dazzling that they almost seem to fly off the screen.

5 Lions Megaways Free Play.

Bingo

In the Philippines, bingo is quite popular. After each meal, several restaurants hand out cards and stamps to their patrons. They receive a free lunch if they use the stamps to create a bingo on their card.

Poker

One of the most played games in the Philippines is online poker. Here, Filipinos put together the finest hand possible with the cards dealt to them. Nonetheless, this casino game requires players to know each card’s value which calls for skill.

Craps

As new as it sounds, Filipino players love craps. This is probably because it’s interesting and easy to play. In craps, players place wagers on the outcome of a dice roll. You can bet against the house (casino craps), or against each other (street craps).

Most popular casino payment methods in the Philippines

After picking your favorite online casino in the Philippines, you can play any game you want. There are two options here; you can play for free or for real money. For the latter, you definitely need to stake real cash.

That’s where casino payment methods come in. In the Philippines, there are several online banking solutions accepted in online casinos. Most of them are easy to use, not to mention their affordability.

Even so, players seem to like the following 5 options:

PayPal

If not Bitcoin, you could choose an e-wallet. And among the most popular e-wallets in the Philippines is PayPal. It’s an online payment method with years of proven convenience, security and speed.

With PayPal, you can make instant casino deposits in the Philippines. Withdrawals are also quick, but you may have to complete the KYC process first.

EcoPayz

If it suits you, go for EcoPayz! It’s an excellent digital payment service available in 50+ countries, including the Philippines.

The best part is that a good number of offshore online casinos support ecoPayz. So, you can top up your account and cash out winnings effortlessly. By the way, this e-wallet is as safe as the rest of them.

Gambling regulators in the Philippines

Online gambling and any other form of gambling is legal in the Philippines. However, there are bodies tasked with regulating these activities. All forms of gambling in the Philippines are regulated by the following regulatory bodies:

• The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) – This gambling regulator is fully owned by the government of the Philippines. It operates, approves, and licenses all gambling activities and institutions in the country. Additionally, it serves to bring in revenue gathered from gambling rooms. The money is then used for national development programs run by the government.
• Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) – This one deals entirely with horse racing. PHILRACOM maintains efficient and impartial horse racing operations while overseeing in-person horse racing bets. Additionally, it enhances the Philippine horse breed and stops unauthorized importation of sporting horses.
• First Cagayan Leisure And Resort Corporation (FCLRC) – This one establishes its own set of rules and legislation for its economic area. Additionally, it creates a self-sufficient industry and provides income and jobs in Santa Ana Metropolis.
• Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) – It is the primary government body responsible for planning and enforcing lottery and sweepstakes events. It also makes investments in health-related welfare.
• Games And Amusements Board (GAB) – It is the body in charge of policing and directing professional sports. GAB hinders the development of illegal bookmakers and other forms of gambling oriented around amusement and combat sports.

Generally, PAGCOR is the body responsible for issuing gambling licenses to casinos. Since only physical local casinos operate legally in the country, online casinos cannot get a license from this body. That’s why Filipinos can only gamble online through offshore casinos.

• Decree No. 1067-a – This law established the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and specified what constitutes lawful gambling in the country. The legal types of gambling entertainment are spelled forth in this regulation. Any domestic gambling that is not offered at one of the authorized locations is regarded as unlawful.
• Decree No. 1602 – Imposes sanctions on those who break the Philippines’ gambling regulations. Gambling on games without the appropriate license carries a prison sentence and a fine of up to 6,000 pesos. Additionally, section 2 provides an informant reward of 20%.
• Republic Act No. 9287 – In this law, illegal games now carry stiffer penalties. Anyone found planning or participating in illegal gambling faces a jail sentence of 30 days to 20 years.
• Presidential Decree No. 1869 – It mandates using the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as a model for how to authorize and manage gambling establishments. Moreover, it lists PAGCOR’s corporate functions and authority. This is in addition to any authority, rules, and exceptions that apply to the government organization.
• Republic Act No. 10927 – Strengthens the Republic Act No. 9160. Large payments and wagers are subject to stricter rules and limitations in this law. Additionally, this law requires that all casinos maintain thorough information about their customers for a period of five years.
• House Bill 8910 – This law controls online cockfighting and e-sabong throughout the Philippines. It also improves a number of PAGCOR’s operations.

To participate in local gambling entertainment in the Philippines you must be 21 years or older. In the Cagayan Special Economic Zone, citizens must be at least 18 to gamble. The Philippine government takes this regulation seriously in an effort to reduce the risks associated with underage gambling.

PAGCOR’s Fight Against Illegal Online Casinos in the Philippines

In September 2023, PAGCOR warned Filipino gamblers against playing at illegal gambling sites. The regulator noted most unlicensed sites attract players by mimicking legit casinos.

According to PAGCOR, there’s an increased number of unlicensed casino sites using its logo. Yet, only approved brands should use the logo on their websites. Alejandro Tengco, the chairman and CEO of the authority, urged players to regularly check their updated list of approved gambling websites.

Besides educating gamblers, the corporation has joined forces with other departments to combat illegal gambling. These include the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation. The Department of Information and Communication Technology is also in the mix.

There’s a major challenge, though. Once the regulator shuts down an illegal casino site, the operator opens a new one. It’s a cat-and-mouse chase that needs public cooperation if combating illegal casinos is to be effective.

It’s not the first time PAGCOR has warned about illegal gaming websites. In June 2023, the regulator flagged a US-based online casino.

According to media reports, fraudsters linked Starspangled200.org to an illegal gambling website in the Philippines. The website address was printed on about 800,000 car plates in Maryland to celebrate US history. However, the URL redirected to Globeinternational.info, which offered illegal gambling services.

New Regulatory Framework for Online Gambling

The new regulatory framework went into effect in July 2023. It is a component of interagency initiatives to combat illicit offshore gambling activity in the nation.

The same year, the regulator declared probation for all license holders and service providers. They had to reapply to PAGCOR for approval before September 17th of the same year. On the other hand, the regulator did not consider granting new licenses to operators who’d been operating illegally.

Under the new framework, gaming entities operating outside their licensing scope won’t be eligible for new permits. Similarly, the regulator will cancel gambling service providers who don’t re-apply for licenses.

Gambling taxes in the Philippines

In the Philippines, online gambling is subject to the same tax laws whether it is conducted locally or online. However, when it comes to gambling winnings, the Philippine Tax Code is ambiguous. This is quite the trend in many other countries.

The tax rate on gaming income is, in theory, 10% for amounts under PHP 10,000 and 20% for amounts over PHP 10,000. This is the rate that applies to the gambler. However, there are no reports of the Philippine government prosecuting anyone for failing to pay taxes on gambling winnings.

Licensed casinos are subject to a gross gambling revenue tax rate of 1.5 %. Additionally, gaming businesses with Philippine licenses may be eligible for a special 5% tax rate on gross revenue. It’s PAGCOR that ensures casinos declare their annual income and pay taxes

It’s worth mentioning that 50% of all gaming gains at PAGCOR are donated to the national government. The government then channels those funds to civic and infrastructure projects.

The Introduction of legal physical casinos

In 1977, a three-deck ship housing the first legal Filipino casino sailed into Manila Bay. It was destroyed by fire two years later. This didn’t stop the Philippine government from turning Metro Manila into a well-known gambling hotspot in the world, though.

It is not unexpected that Metro Manila hosted the opening of the first casino. It is probably the country’s most developed region. This is because it serves as a hub for numerous sectors, including technology, media, finance, and education.

In Metro Manila, there are about 20 land-based casinos that players from all over the world can visit. Every casino in the Philippines is housed in a five-star resort. This offers guests a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind experience.

Of course, there are several casino games available. They include a variety of contemporary slot machines in addition to classic table games like blackjack and roulette. However, these are just hosted in physical casinos.

Online casinos in the Philippines

While land-based casinos were growing in the Philippines, their online counterparts were booming as well. Since the law didn’t explicitly say that online gambing is illegal in the country, players could try offshore gambling sites.

This has been the trend ever since. Now, there are hundreds of online casinos accepting Filipino players

Land-based gambling in the Philippines

Gambling in Philippine land-based casinos is perfectly legal. These gaming houses are even free to offer their services online. The Filipino government approved this for the first time.

Furthermore, according to the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR), all land-based casinos in the country must be licensed. This aims to maintain the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators’ declining revenue streams.

Currently, there are 51 land-based casinos in the country, 38 of which are run by PAGCOR. Thirteen are privately owned. They draw high rollers from China, South Korea, and Japan.

Notably, most of these land-based casinos are located in Manila. The Philippine capital is home to many well-known tourist attractions. This makes it perfect for casino establishments.

In these casinos, the most popular games are lottery and table games like blackjack and roulette. Slot machines are also available.

However, while Sabong is legal, regular casinos do not host the game. There are designated locations in the Philippines for Sabong betting.

Triggers of problem gambling

Some of the major contributors to gambling addiction are:

• Yearning for exhilarating experiences
• An urgent need for money
• The lively environment of the gambling scene
• The elevated social standing brought on by successful gambling

These can easily take you down the rabbit hole. Avoid them!

Signs of problem gambling

How do I know that I’m addicted to gambling? Well, look out for the following sign:

• The need to gamble when you clearly can’t afford it
• Your family and friends step in and express concern about your gambling tendencies
• Having trouble reining back your gambling tendencies
• The need to wager more money in order to get the desired result
• Restlessness and irritation when you reduce or stop gambling
• Regular unsuccessful attempts to limit or stop gambling
• Gambling becomes a constant distraction in the mind
• Relying on other people to get out of dire financial circumstances brought on by gambling

In the Philippines, there are various resources to help people struggling with problem gambling. Counseling and self-help are typically combined in addiction treatment programs.

The most popular and most useful resource is the PAGCOR exclusion program. This program involves accepting that you have a gambling problem. This is the most crucial step in beating the addiction.

After that, you can now take a break from gambling. Until the exclusion period is over, you can’t gamble in any PAGCOR-licensed casino.

Gambling is depressing and difficult to break, but you can stop it in its tracks. The majority of casinos offer advice on how to play. They even have responsible gambling pages that you should check out.

Did you know?

• Joseph Estrada, a former president of the Philippines, is rumored to have won million-dollar mahjong tournaments. On a casino’s security video tape in1996, Estrada was seen playing poker. He was also seen serving coffee to a well-known gangster.
• In the first half of 2022, PAGCOR recorded a 68.11% increase in revenue collection.
• Several Chinese and other foreigners were arrested for illegal online gaming in the Philippines.