Best Online Casinos - Philippines

In addition to having one of the most thriving regulated gambling markets in Asia, the country also has one of the most complex and tiered sets of gambling laws in the region. Under these laws, games of chance and betting are both legal but the state maintains strict oversight on certain activities.

Land-based casinos, poker rooms, lotteries, and sports betting are legal under the supervision of PAGCOR, a government-owned corporation that controls most in-country gambling providers and weeds out all offshore operators that provide gambling services. Additionally, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) licenses online casinos targeting international players.

Understanding the gambling laws in the Philippines is crucial because local players must navigate different rules for land-based, online, and offshore gambling. In this section, we explore who can legally gamble, how the government regulates the industry, and what players need to know about licensed vs. unlicensed operators.

Is gambling legal in the Philippines?

The Philippines has a thriving land-based gambling industry, with world-class casinos, VIP gaming rooms, and entertainment hubs. The industry is regulated by PAGCOR, which issues licenses, monitors compliance, and collects gambling revenue for national development projects.

Speaking of revenue, it shows consistent growth year after year, and PAGCOR reports historic financial growth that already surpassed PHP 112 billion. Our team predicts that in the years to come, this record will be broken time and time again by even higher numbers.

Any casino provider that wants to deliver betting and gambling services to players in the Philippines must qualify for a license from PAGCOR. Licensing covers many strict requirements, including security, fair play, and financial transparency — all of these must be transparent and regularly reported by casino providers.

Licensing is a lengthy process that takes months and costs applicants a hefty sum. Businesses are expected to submit detailed financial plans, disclosures on the background of the board of directors, and pass criminal checks, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Once licensed, businesses agree to pay a 5% franchise tax on gross gaming revenue, along with other regulatory fees. It is needless to say the collective gambling industry is among the biggest contributors to the local economy, paying billions in taxes annually.

It is casinos that must make sure their customers are of legal age to gamble. One has to be 21 years or older to be able to play casino games. Age restrictions for lottery and betting are milder, and the limit is set at 18 years. 

The main gambling hub in the Philippines for land-based casinos is in Metro Manila, with major brands including:

• Entertainment City – Home to luxury casinos like Okada Manila, City of Dreams, and Solaire Resort & Casino.
• Clark Freeport Zone – A growing casino destination outside Manila, with tax incentives for foreign investors.
• Cebu and other tourist hotspots – Smaller casino resorts cater to international tourists and VIP players.

One must think that with the legal gambling industry regulated and thriving, the Philippines does not have problems with rogue casinos but this is just not the case. In fact, illegal gambling operations such as underground cockfighting rings and informal street betting continue to thrive, prompting government crackdowns and stricter enforcement measures.

Is online gambling legal in the Philippines?

What makes the online gambling sector in the Philippines unique is it has a legal and regulated online gambling sector but with specific restrictions. The industry is regulated by two major licensing bodies. The leading one is PAGCOR – an entity that oversees local online gambling operators serving Filipino players.

For the longest time, side by side with PAGCOR there existed CEZA. It issued licenses to offshore operators (POGOs), but these platforms cannot accept Filipino players. As of the end of 2024, however, the government decided to wind down offshore gaming operators. This initiative was voiced by the state, citing concerns over the presence of this sector in the country. The initiative caused a major shift for a sector employing thousands of qualified workers, with their visas being terminated and more than 40 licensed operators shutting down gambling operations. This is also a major change for Filipino players, many of which, despite the abundance of locally licensed operators, are very fond of offshore sites.

The understanding is that the state will then consolidate its attention around offline and online in-country sectors, strengthening them and improving regulations around them.

Locally licensed virtual places to bet and win that accept Filipino players are expected to adhere to strict licensing requirements, player protection policies, and responsible gambling measures. Online gambling taxation varies depending on the type of operator:

• POGOs used to pay a 5% gaming tax on gross revenue and additional fees to operate in the country.
• Local online casinos pay PAGCOR licensing fees, which depend on their revenue and gaming offerings.

Our database of casinos has a solid mix of locally licensed sites with PAGCOR permits and international platforms friendly to Filipino players. To see all the options, simply adjust one of the custom filters in the database to the preferred country and pick a platform that suits your expectations best.

Banking is among the cornerstone concerns when it comes to selecting an online lobby to gamble or place bets. After all, one would not want to be stuck with huge conversion fees if the site does not accept the Philippine peso, or pay service fees for ill-suited payment methods that are not compatible with the local banking system.

Plus, the local banking regulations in the Philippines do not support gambling-related transactions unless those can be tracked to locally licensed sites. When it comes to international virtual venues, players will have to turn to alternative payment methods to avoid fees, investigations, and blocked bank accounts.

The Philippine peso (PHP) is supported by many local online operators but not always available on offshore sites, meaning players may need to deposit in USD or cryptocurrency. Transactions in USD will inevitably lead to conversion fees. This is one of the reasons why many Filipino players prefer another method – crypto. It comes in all shapes and forms, from traditional tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum to stablecoins. Crypto is easy to move around, from a personal account to a casino account. At the same time, it has a lot of protection around it, supports low transaction fees, and is known for its speedy transactions.

Newbies to the concept of crypto are welcome to rely on our convenient guide that helps get started with BTC and similar tokens. Those who would rather carry on with fiat-friendly payment methods can expect to find in international lobbies such Filipino-friendly payment solutions: 

• E-wallets (Gcash, PayMaya, MiFinity, MuchBetter) – Fast, convenient, and widely accepted on online gambling platforms.
• Bank transfers (BDO, BPI, Metrobank) – Available for local operators but restricted for offshore gambling sites.
• Prepaid cards (Paysafecard, AstroPay) – Common for players looking for anonymity. Suitable only for deposits, and cashouts will have to be managed via e-wallets, cards, or bank transfers.

It is worth mentioning that individual players do not pay taxes on gambling winnings. Instead, the government collects revenue through operator taxes and licensing fees. However, high-rollers making large bank transfers from gambling sites may be subject to financial scrutiny.

Gambling is deeply engraved into the cultural and social fabric of life in the Philippines. One of the activities that dates back decades and is still popular today is Sabong, aka cockfighting. These days, it is supported by both offline and online betting providers and regularly attracts millions of players. 

When it comes to the modern gambling industry, Filipino players are among those loyal to classic table games, especially baccarat. In live dealer lobbies, the game consistently shows an overwhelming flow of players to live baccarat tables. High-stakes tables are more popular than those tailored for casual bettors. 

When it comes to slot machines, Filipino players appreciate a quality progressive release. Asia-themed reeled adventures are also overwhelmingly popular.

Among additional betting options, esports betting has become a rising trend, fueled by the country’s love for competitive gaming. With Dota 2, CS:GO, and Mobile Legends tournaments attracting millions of Filipino fans, betting on these events has grown significantly, particularly among younger players looking for dynamic and interactive gambling experiences.