The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has revealed its intention to create a mobile application designed to assist players in distinguishing licensed online casinos from unregulated gambling sites.
This announcement was delivered on Monday by Pagcor’s chairman and CEO Alejandro H Tengco during a budget hearing in the House of Representatives.
The new app, slated to launch before the end of 2026, will enhance Pagcor's current verification system, known as Pagcor Guarantee. According to Tengco, the application will aim to curb illegal online gambling activities and safeguard players by directing them toward platforms that are officially regulated by Pagcor.
Tengco emphasized the scale of the challenge ahead, stating that nearly 50% of online gaming sites accessed from the Philippines currently lack proper licensing. He noted, “Keeping players within the regulated sector has been an ongoing challenge for Pagcor and our law enforcement partners. For those who patronise online gaming, we encourage them to use the Pagcor app. The easier it is for them to identify where they can legally play, the better we can protect them from illegal operators and the risks that come with unregulated gaming.”
Pagcor is also partnering with various government entities, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC). This collaboration is aimed not only at identifying unlicensed operators but also at disrupting financial channels that facilitate illegal gaming activities.
In addition to license verification, the new mobile app will provide players with access to a formal dispute resolution process for issues they may encounter with licensed operators. Tengco mentioned that the Pagcor Guarantee launched in June 2025 has already helped players easily verify the licensing status of online gaming sites prior to engaging in any transactions.
Tengco's commitment to enhancing regulatory frameworks has been a long-standing focus. Earlier this year, he outlined his three objectives for the next 25 months, which includes legislative approval for a comprehensive online gambling law. Recently, Pagcor implemented a new operator fee structure, mandating a minimum guaranteed fee of PHP9 million monthly for operators of online casino games, based on a revenue threshold, with lower fees for sports betting operators.
In the second quarter of this year, Pagcor reported a gross gaming revenue of PHP88.13 billion, reflecting a 20.33% decrease compared to the same period last year.
