Casinos in the Philippines: PAGCOR and offshore licenses

Introduction: "regulator + operator" on reset threshold

The Philippine model is historically unique, with PAGCOR both regulating the market and operating its own casinos. By 2025, the focus is shifting: the state is bringing to its logical conclusion the ban on offshore operators and is preparing the privatization of state casinos in order to leave PAGCOR with a purely supervisory role. This is changing the economy, payments and marketing - both on the ground and online.

1) PAGCOR in 2025: What it does "here and now"

Supervision and licensing. PAGCOR regulates terrestrial IR resorts (Manila Bay, etc.), eGames/eBingo and other "electronic" verticals for the domestic market. For 2025, the regulator lowers licensing fees for IR online revenue (an element of stimulating the eGames segment).

Operational part. PAGCOR's own branch casinos are preparing for privatization, the start of which has been postponed to 2026 (before that, changes in the statutory mandate are required).

Macro context. Industry revenues are growing due to large IR and eGames; PAGCOR predicted historical fees, despite the "cooling" of the offshore sector.

2) Offshore licenses: from POGO to IGL and to a complete ban

As it was. Since the mid-2010s, the Philippines has become an Asian hub for POGO - companies that served foreign markets. In 2023-2024, the regulator reformatted the mode and renamed it IGL (Internet Gaming License), starting re-licensing.

What has changed. In 2024, the presidential course decided to completely close the offshore industry: PAGCOR canceled all POGO/IGL licenses by December 15, 2024, personnel migration outside the country and clearing of illegal immigrants became part of the state program.

Consolidation in law. In June 2025, the Senate approved the Anti-POGO Act at the third reading (institutionalization of the ban), after which the House of Representatives voted in favor - this translates the presidential ban into a permanent legal norm.

Bottom line: the offshore regime in the Philippines has ended. Any "renaming" or "tolerances for exporting rates" no longer work in the legal field of the country.

3) What's legal online domestically

eGames/eBingo/IR online verticals. Allowed under PAGCOR licenses and in conjunction with certified providers. For IR operators in 2025 there are reduced fees for online GGR (element of post-pandemic support).

Taxes and fees. In addition to the general fiscal regimes, regulatory tariffs and PAGCOR boards (rate/fee framework documents for sites and sites) are applied. It is important for operators to include in P&L both fiscal taxes and licensing fees of the regulator.

Boundaries. Any activity targeting foreign markets "from the Philippines" is illegal after the cancellation of POGO/IGL. Internal products - only under PAGCOR license and Responsible Play/AML rules.

4) Land casinos and privatization

The IR model (including Entertainment City) remains a revenue driver: large resorts pull tourism and MICE, providing the bulk of the country's GGR.

State-owned casino PAGCOR. According to the plan, assets will be transferred to private operators from 2026; market expectation - "divorce" of functions (supervision separately, commerce separately) and increased transparency for banks/investors.

5) Payments, advertising and compliance (short)

KYC/AML. Strict identification, transaction monitoring, audit logs and reporting are the standard for ground and electronic verticals.

Marketing. You cannot disguise offshore products as local ones; affiliates are required to work only with licensed domains/applications.

Enforcement. Since 2024, there has been a large-scale sweep of "shadow" offshore hubs (raids, deportations, asset seizures). For internal illegal immigrants - blocking and criminal cases.

6) Practice: What players and operators should do

• Use only licensed PAGCOR sites/halls; check public details and communication methods.
• Evaluate SLA by conclusions and the availability of responsible play tools (limits, self-exclusion).

• You can no longer play for export: we build P&L only on the domestic model or on purely foreign licenses outside the PH.
• Recalculate the economy of eGames taking into account reduced fees and strengthen KYC/AML.
• Preparing for the privatization wave 2026: the requirements for property transparency, ESG and reporting quality will become higher.

7) Until 2030: What the trajectory looks like

1. PAGCOR → "clean regulator." After the privatization of the casino, the focus will go into the supervision and development of transparent rules for on-/offline.

2. Growth of eGames and IR ecosystem. Online add. verticals with IR and omnichannel services (loyalty, fast cashouts) will be the main "digital" line.

3. Zero tolerance for offshore schemes. The POGO/IGL ban is fixed, the return of the mode in its previous form looks extremely unlikely.

The Philippines in 2025 is a legal domestic online under PAGCOR, strong IR resorts and a complete rejection of offshore licenses. The regulator is shifting to the "supervision without casino ownership" model, the offshore experiment is closed and cemented by law. Those who honestly work in a local frame win: certified content, transparent payments, strict AML and an understandable service for the player.

Condition of materials: October 2025.