The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is set to introduce a mobile application aimed at helping players differentiate between licensed online casinos and unregulated gambling websites. This initiative was announced by Pagcor chairman and chief executive Alejandro H Tengco during a House budget hearing on Monday.
The new app, which is expected to launch before the end of 2026, will enhance Pagcor’s current verification system known as Pagcor Guarantee. According to Tengco, the application will have two primary goals: to diminish illegal online gambling activities and to protect users by guiding them to platforms that are officially licensed and regulated by Pagcor.
Tengco addressed the significant scale of the task, noting that approximately 50% of online gaming sites accessed from the Philippines operate without the necessary licenses. "Keeping players within the regulated sector has been an ongoing challenge for Pagcor and our law enforcement partners," he stated. He also encouraged online gamers to use the Pagcor app, asserting, "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."
In developing this application, Pagcor is collaborating 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 partnership aims not only to identify unlicensed operators but also to disrupt the financial networks that support illegal gaming, particularly unauthorized payment channels.
Beyond its verification functionality, the app will also provide a formal dispute resolution process for players who encounter problems with licensed operators. Reflecting on previous successes, Tengco highlighted the benefits of the Pagcor Guarantee, launched in June 2025, which has helped players confirm whether online gaming sites are properly licensed before placing bets or making payments.
Further regulatory measures have been a long-term priority for Tengco. In earlier conversations with iGB, he outlined his goals for the next 25 months, including the implementation of a comprehensive online gambling law. This new legislation incorporates an operator fee that took effect in June 2023, requiring a minimum guaranteed fee of PHP9 million monthly from online casino operators based on a revenue threshold of PHP30 million, and PHP3 million for operators of non-casino games, like sports betting, based on revenue of PHP15 million.
In the second quarter of the year, Pagcor reported PHP88.13 billion in gross gaming revenue, reflecting a 20.33% decline compared to the same period in 2022.
