Philippines Gambling License
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A Philippines gambling license is a PAGCOR authorisation for regulated gaming aimed at the domestic market — online (PIGO), e-games, e-bingo, or sports betting — under the 2026 rules that ended offshore POGO licensing. Legarithm runs it end to end: license type and structure (foreign equity is capped, so you need the right local partner), SEC company setup, the PAGCOR application, and AML, player-protection and BSP payment frameworks — so you get licensed, not just filed. Targeting international players instead? Since the POGO route is closed, an offshore Anjouan or Curaçao gambling license is the compliant alternative — or compare every route on our gambling licenses hub.
Why apply for your PAGCOR licence with Legarithm
The biggest mistake in a Philippines gambling license today is chasing the wrong route: offshore POGO licensing was permanently banned in 2024–2025, so anyone still selling it is selling a dead end. The real routes are PAGCOR’s domestic licences — and they come with a foreign-equity cap, real capital, and a full compliance stack.
We start from what you actually want to run — online casino, e-games, bingo, or sports betting — and build the compliant structure around it: the right PAGCOR licence, a correctly owned local company, the paid-up capital, and the AML, player-protection, and BSP payment frameworks the regulator expects. You work with a licensed team that knows the post-POGO rules, keeps you on the legal side of them, and stays your single point of contact from the first call to a live licence.
Key benefits of a Philippines gambling license
These are the outcomes operators actually set one up for.
Who a Philippines gambling license is for
A Philippines gambling license is for operators building a regulated, domestic-facing gaming business under PAGCOR.
Online casino operators (PIGO)
Platforms serving Philippine players through a licensed inland operator.
Sports-betting operators
Online and retail sports-betting brands targeting the local market.
E-games & e-bingo
Operators of e-gaming cafes, e-bingo, and electronic gaming venues.
Land-based & integrated resorts
Casino and gaming-floor operators licensed by PAGCOR.
Platform & B2B suppliers
Aggregators and game providers supplying licensed operators.
Groups leaving POGO
Former offshore operators moving to a compliant domestic or offshore route.
What a Philippines gambling license setup includes
Every Philippines gambling license we handle is delivered as a complete, regulator-ready package, not just an application.
Licence-type & structuring
PIGO, e-games, bingo, or sports betting, matched to your model and the equity cap.
Company & SEC setup
A correctly owned Philippine company with the right local partner.
PAGCOR application
Preparation and filing of the licence application and business plan.
AML & player protection
FATF-aligned AML/CTF manual and player-protection protocol.
Data privacy
A policy compliant with the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173).
Capital & payments
Paid-up capital arrangement and BSP OGTA-compliant payment setup.
Compliance officer
We provide or place the required compliance function.
Ongoing compliance
Reporting, renewals, and audit support after go-live.
Not sure which licence?
Get a consultation — we map your route, cost, and timeline in 30 minutes.
PAGCOR licence routes compared
The right Philippines gambling license depends on your vertical — here is how the main PAGCOR routes compare.
| Feature | PIGO (domestic online) | E-games / e-bingo | Sports betting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Online casino for Philippine players | Gaming cafes & e-bingo venues | Online / retail sports betting |
| Market | Domestic (Philippines) | Domestic (Philippines) | Domestic (Philippines) |
| Regulator | PAGCOR | PAGCOR | PAGCOR |
| Foreign equity | Up to 40.01% | Up to 40.01% | Up to 40.01% |
| Paid-up capital | ~USD 440,000 (PHP 25M) | Activity-based | Activity-based |
| Typical timeline | 13–18 weeks | Varies | Varies |
Offshore gaming (POGO) is permanently banned — none of these routes serve international players. For an international-facing brand, compare offshore options on our gambling licenses hub.
Market access and limitations
A Philippines gambling license opens the domestic market but comes with clear limits — here is what it does and does not let you do.
What you can do
Serve Philippine players across casino, e-games, e-bingo, and sports betting under PAGCOR.
Domestic market only
The licence is for the local market and does not authorise serving players abroad.
No offshore / POGO
Offshore gaming is banned, so an international operation needs an offshore jurisdiction instead.
Foreign-equity cap
Foreign investors may hold up to 40.01%; a Filipino majority partner is mandatory.
Regulated marketing
Advertising is restricted, with responsible-gaming and player-protection rules to follow.
Compliant payments only
Player payments must run through BSP OGTA-compliant channels.
Get your Philippines gambling license the right way
One consultation tells you the licence, the total cost, and the timeline for your operation.
What we need from you
Setup starts once we have your corporate, compliance, and business-plan documents.
- Passport copies for all beneficial owners and directors
- Proof of address issued within the last 3 months
- CVs showing gaming or finance experience
- Details of your local (Filipino) shareholder / partner
- Ownership and group structure chart
How Philippines gambling license setup works
Getting a Philippines gambling license with Legarithm is a five-step process, with PAGCOR review typically taking several months.
Total indicative timeline: roughly 3–6 months, depending on your category and how quickly documentation and vetting clear.
How much a Philippines gambling license costs
A Philippines gambling license has official PAGCOR capital and fees plus Legarithm’s own fee, which we quote on request after a free consultation, not as a fixed package.
| Cost item | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| PIGO paid-up capital | ~USD 440,000 (PHP 25 million) |
| PIGO application fee | USD 40,000–50,000 |
| Foreign equity cap | Up to 40.01% (Filipino majority partner required) |
| Processing time | 13–18 weeks (PIGO) |
| Legarithm service fee | On request · after a free consultation |
Figures are PAGCOR’s 2026 requirements and may change; capital is a paid-up amount, not a fee. Offshore POGO licensing is no longer available. Legarithm’s own fee is separate and quoted on request after a free consultation.
Compliance and ongoing obligations
A Philippines gambling license is an ongoing obligation, not a one-off — here is what you maintain to keep it in good standing.
AML / CTF
A FATF-aligned AML programme with reporting to the AMLC.
Player protection
Responsible-gaming tools, self-exclusion, and player-protection protocols.
Data privacy
Compliance with the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) and a data-protection officer.
Reporting & audits
Regular reporting to PAGCOR and periodic compliance audits.
Renewals & gaming tax
Annual licence renewal, regulatory fees, and applicable gaming taxes.
Certified systems
Certified gaming systems / RNG and secure, tested platform standards.
Philippines gambling license FAQ
Still have questions?
Can I still get an offshore (POGO) licence?
No. Offshore gaming (POGO) was permanently banned by the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, and PAGCOR can no longer issue offshore licences. The compliant routes are PAGCOR’s domestic licences or an offshore licence in another jurisdiction such as Curaçao.
How much does a Philippines gambling license cost?
Cost combines PAGCOR application/licensing fees (commonly USD 40,000–50,000 for PIGO), required paid-up capital (from ~USD 440,000), technical certification and ongoing charges. We give a tailored estimate first.
Can a foreigner own the company?
Only up to a 40.01% foreign-equity cap — a Philippine (majority) partner is required. We structure the ownership so you keep control of what the law allows.
What licences are actually available?
PAGCOR domestic licences: PIGO (domestic online), e-games and e-bingo, land-based casino, and online or retail sports betting.
How much capital do I need?
A PIGO typically requires around USD 440,000 (PHP 25 million) in paid-up capital, plus an application fee of roughly USD 40,000–50,000. We confirm the exact figure for your route.
How long does it take?
Company and compliance take a few weeks; the PIGO application itself usually takes about 13–18 weeks from a complete submission.
What compliance is required?
A FATF-aligned AML/CTF programme, a player-protection protocol, a data-privacy policy (RA 10173), and BSP OGTA-compliant payments — all of which we build.
Can I target international players?
Not under a PAGCOR domestic licence — that market is now served through offshore jurisdictions. If your audience is international, an Anjouan or Curaçao licence is the route.
Do you handle the whole process?
Yes — structuring, the local company, capital, the full compliance stack, the PAGCOR filing, and payments, as your single point of contact.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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