The online gambling space in the Philippines has grown to become a large revenue contributor, second only to taxation. According to the BSG Governor, Benjamin Diokno, “Gaming revenue has been a significant contributor to the country’s GDP, and we expect this to continue in the coming years.”
This growth can be attributed to casino-friendly government policies and an effective gambling regulatory body, PAGCOR (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation). With a PAGCOR online casino license, the Philippines has become one of the biggest gambling hubs in Asia.
Although PAGCOR has strict gambling rules that every casino operator and gambler alike must adhere to, understanding how this licensing body works will help players stay safe while playing and also help casino operators avoid legal issues.
This article serves as a guide, giving you all you need to know about casino licenses in the Philippines. It beams its spotlight on the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), license verification, and the need for licensing.
A gaming license refers to the authorization or official permit given to a gaming or casino operator to offer gambling activities to people legally. This authorization is usually given by a regulatory body. In the Philippines, the main regulatory body saddled with this task is PAGCOR, which gives licenses to both online and brick-and-mortar casinos.
According to PAGCOR’s chairman, Andrea Domingo, “PAGCOR was created to regulate and supervise the gaming industry in the Philippines, with the primary goal of generating revenue for the government and promoting tourism.”
A gaming regulatory body can decide to close down a casino if its activities are outside the legal jurisdictions in that region. For instance, about 175 land-based casinos in the Philippines have been closed due to legal issues.
In 1977, the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation was established to oversee the activities of game providers and casino operators. Since its establishment, it has helped to curb the activities of illegal operators in the gaming industry. Gaining the reputation of one of the most formidable regulatory bodies in the industry. Its achievement quickly reached the whole of Asia making it one of the most respected and sought-after gaming licensors on the continent.
The categories of casino license Philippines offered by PAGCOR include;
The simple answer is yes.
One of the questions that bug the minds of players when joining online casinos is questions about the legitimacy of the casino. The regulatory body, PAGCOR, is owned by the government, so it follows a strict government law that every casino operator must obey. PAGCOR boasts accountability and fairness in its dealings with operators.
However, some online casinos are known for being less transparent especially when it comes to terms and conditions attached to their services. These operators do well to hide their unlawful practices away from the eyes of PAGCOR to avoid legal issues. So, players need to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of a casino and its integrity before joining.
If you are doubting the legitimacy of an online casino, follow these guides on how to check online casino license Philippines.
Questions like what is a gaming license for a casino and whether an online casino PAGCOR license legit have been answered in this article. To clear doubt on whether to trust a PAGCOR license and how to identify a true license from PAGCOR on any casino website.
However, the online gambling landscape in the Philippines is always expanding, and new casinos are coming up. So, make it a priority to stay up to date with the PAGCOR’s list of legitimate online casinos as a player, and remember to gamble responsibly.
