The Philippines is one of those Asian countries with friendly gambling laws. Its accommodating policies on casinos, sports betting, and other forms of gambling may be explained by its long and rich history. According to many historians, gambling and betting on games have been around even before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers. Pigafetta, writing in his journals, mentioned locals enjoying and betting on a game later known as ‘sabong’ or cockfighting.
The country’s passion for games and the government’s on-and-off support continues today in the internet and mobile betting age. But this doesn’t mean the Philippines has a ‘free-for-all’ gambling industry. On the contrary, the country boasts strict rules and regulations on gambling, particularly for the new online casinos. Also, there are specific government agencies that are tasked to regulate gambling. In this article, we’ll discuss the current legal gambling landscape in the Philippines, the agencies involved, market trends, and the direction where it’s headed.
PAGCOR Manages Gambling in the Philippines
In the Philippines, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the chief agency regulating the industry. In addition to regulating gambling activities, it also operates a few casinos through the Casino Filipino brand. These physical casinos in different parts of the country also allow bets from Filipinos, provided they’re at least 21 years of the agency.
Think of PAGCOR as the country’s version of the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority, which approves licenses and regulates gambling operations. Today, PAGCOR also operates bingo parlors and e-games cafes nationwide. The agency’s regulatory powers came from Presidential Decree No. 1869 and were established under Presidential Decree No. 1067-A, which then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. signed to combat illegal gambling operations.
Role of Local Government Units or LGUs
Aside from PAGCOR, the local government units also share in implementing the country’s gambling policies. Specifically, the LGUs are tasked to oversee small-scale gambling activities, and have the authority to arrest individuals engaged in illegal gambling operations, such as ‘tong-its,’ a popular card game like poker, ‘jueteng,’ a lottery-like game, and ‘sakla,’ a board game with cards. Also, the LGUs can approve or allow the local operations of ‘sabong’ or cockfighting in specific areas. But when it comes to online sabong or cockfighting, PAGCOR still takes complete oversight.
First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation (FCLRC)
Aside from PAGCOR, another agency involved in the gambling industry is the First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation (FCLRC). Launched in 2003 through the Interactive Gaming Ac, this agency oversees gambling activities within the special economic zone of Cagayan. Also, the FCLRC regulates and issues licenses for online casinos targeting bettors from Eastern Asia. However, the agency has no authority to regulate gambling in the Philippines, and FCLRC-licensed online casinos do not allow bets from Filipinos.
Gambling in the Philippines – Surveying Today’s Landscape
The Philippines hosts a thriving gambling industry, thanks to accommodating laws signed by the previous administrations. Players from the Philippines can play and bet on online casino games. Several operators in the country authorized by PAGCOR allow locals to register an account and bet on casino games and sports.
Even more exciting is that most of these online betting sites are accessible via mobile apps, allowing bettors to enjoy games on the go and pay using local e-wallets. Offshore licensed casinos are also accessible from the Philippines, and by experience, local bettors can register and place bets here. But the government discourages Filipinos from accessing offshore casinos because these are beyond their authority. Hence they cannot protect players.
What Lies Ahead for the Philippine Gambling Industry
The Philippines boasts a vibrant gambling industry with several active stakeholders. Bettors from this country can place bets on licensed and registered physical casinos and online betting sites. And in PAGCOR-licensed gambling sites, players can enjoy various games, including slot machines, table games, live casinos, and sports betting. Offshore licensed casinos also continue to thrive, and most of these betting sites operate with remote licenses from Curacao and Costa Rica.
With friendly governmental policies that see gambling as a source of revenue, experts expect regulated gambling operations to continue. The only exception is the ongoing crackdown on online sabong or cockfighting. Upon the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, operations of e-sabong in the country are temporarily suspended. But in a country of fun-loving people with a rich gaming history, it’s only a matter of time before new games become available.
