The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is set to launch a mobile application aimed at helping players differentiate between licensed online casinos and unregulated gambling sites. This announcement was delivered by Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro H Tengco during a budget hearing in the House on Monday.
The app, expected to be released by the end of 2026, will enhance Pagcor's existing verification system, known as Pagcor Guarantee. Tengco stated that the application will fulfill two main objectives: curtail illegal online gambling and safeguard players by guiding them to platforms that are officially licensed and regulated by Pagcor.
He noted a significant issue, explaining that approximately 50% of online gaming sites currently accessed in the Philippines operate without proper licenses. "Keeping players within the regulated sector has been an ongoing challenge for Pagcor and our law enforcement partners," Tengco remarked. He emphasized the importance of using the app, saying, "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 working in conjunction with various government agencies, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC). This collaborative effort will not only identify unlicensed operators but will also aim to dismantle the financial frameworks supporting illegal gambling activities, focusing on the payment channels employed by unauthorized platforms.
In addition to verifying licenses, the new mobile app will provide players with a formal dispute resolution system for any challenges they face with licensed operators. Reflecting on past successes, Tengco pointed out the June 2025 rollout of Pagcor Guarantee, which allowed players to easily check and verify the licensing of online gaming sites before engaging in any activities or financial transactions.
Tengco's focus on enhancing regulatory frameworks has been ongoing. Earlier in the year, he shared his goals for the next 25 months, which included gaining legislative approval for a comprehensive online gambling law. This initiative introduced an operator fee that took effect in June, mandating a guaranteed fee of PHP9 million monthly for online casino operators based on a revenue threshold of PHP30 million, and a PHP3 million fee for operators without online casinos, like sports betting sites, based on PHP15 million in revenue.
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.
