Philippines Casinos
Discover whether you can place online casino bets in the Philippines with real money stakes. Uncover top betting sites and get to grips with the ins and outs of gambling in the Southeast Asian country today.
The Philippines Online Casinos
There aren’t many countries in Asia where online gambling is legal. Given that the Philippines has two regulatory bodies (PAGCOR and CEZA), the odds look good at being able to engage in a spot of online gambling in the Philippines, right?
The Philippines has both legal and illegal casinos. Oddly enough, the authorities in the country don’t make much effort to separate the two, giving Filipinos a wealth of betting options. Stick with us, and we’ll introduce you to the gambling laws in the country; we’ll showcase some of the top betting sites you can play at, and we’ll cover the games, banking options and everything else you need to know to bet in the Philippines today.
Best Real Money Online Casinos for Filipino Players
Online Gambling Laws in the Philippines
There are two “regions” or “bodies” in the Philippines which regulate gambling. Firstly, there is PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). Then there is CEZA (Cagayan Economic Zone Authority).
Filipinos are permitted to play at casinos licensed by PAGCOR but not CEZA. The Cagayan Economic Zone licenses are not valid for legal gambling sites in the Philippines, but they are widely recognised by other Asian countries. Many of these offshore casinos also cater to players in the Philippines, even if they aren’t strictly legit Philippines online casinos.
Thus far, everything looks relatively straightforward and good for betting online in the country. Just to be sure, though, let us look at each type of gambling site and determine if there are any grey areas that need ironing out. Let’s start with online casinos.
Online Casino
Is online casino gambling legal in the Philippines? The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer requires a bit more of an explanation. Filipinos are only permitted to play at online casinos that bear a PAGCOR license. These are the only types of legit Philippines online casinos. That said, the Filipino authorities don’t make much of an effort to stop their nationals and residents from betting at offshore betting sites. As a result, Filipinos seemingly have their pick of a wealth of betting sites. That said, CEZA licensed sites may not necessarily accept players from the country, though.
Online Poker
Online poker is legal in the Philippines. Again, this is true, provided that those sites are covered by a PAGCOR license. CEZA also issues poker licenses, but these do not accept players from the Philippines.
Online Sports Betting
Sports betting is also legal in the Philippines. Unlike casinos, though, sports betting is run under a state monopoly, known as Mega Sports World. This monopoly is permitted to have land-based betting outlets but not online gambling sites. However, the Filipino authorities make little to no effort to stop their nationals from betting at offshore sportsbooks and international bookmakers.
Online Lottery
Virtually all forms of gambling are legal in the Philippines, and lottery games are no different. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes runs all legal lotteries, but they do not have an online betting site. There is no ban in place on foreign lottos, so residents can visit lottery agents and ticket sites to purchase tickets to major international lotteries.
Online Bingo
As you might expect, online bingo is also legal in the Philippines. Bingo rooms (both land-based halls and online) are permitted, provided they have a PAGCOR license. Internet bingo rooms located offshore are surprisingly deemed legal and don’t fall into a grey zone. This decision stems from a court interpretation of a case from 2012.
History of Gambling in the Philippines
Nobody truly knows when the very first gambling activities took place in the Philippines. The first instances of gambling are believed to have occurred in the sixteenth century and are believed to have been brought to the Asian country by the Chinese. Here is what we do know of the history of gambling in the Philippines.
- 1521: Antonio Pigafetta reports that bets are placed on cockfights as Magellan’s ship arrives in Palawan.
- 1800s: Horse racing, lotteries, cockfights, card games, billiard gambling, and other forms of betting seem to have become established in what was then the Spanish colony of the Philippines.
- 1898: The American occupation of the Philippines sees gambling activities outlawed.
- 1912: Betting is re-introduced in the Philippines after the American authorities deemed that banning it cannot be controlled. They decide that taxing gambling is far more useful than prohibiting it.
- 1930s: Charitable gambling is used as a way of justifying the presence of gambling halls.
- 1946: Following the end of the colonial period, the Philippine authorities take control and oversee legal gambling activities.
- 1976: PAGCOR is created amidst an era of martial law in a bid to finally regulate and gain control over gambling in the country.
- 1985: PAGCOR’s responsibilities are expanded, and casinos begin to appear in the country.
- 2000s: PAGCOR’s authority is expanded once more, this time to include the newly created and rapidly growing online gambling operations.
- 2018: President Rodrigo Duterte increases the availability of gambling activities in the country, predominantly because he sees a great deal of Chinese investment. He aims to put the Philippines on course to rival Macau and Singapore as primary gambling venues in Asia.
Is It Safe to Gamble at a Filipino Online Casino?
Safe online casinos in the Philippines are predominantly those that are licensed by PAGCOR. However, it is worth noting that the national Filipino gambling authority is often eager to hand out licenses to Filipino operators (and international betting sites) but doesn’t tend to regulate those sites properly.
It is arguable that international offshore casinos (particularly those licensed out of Malta and the UK) are far better regulated and safer than PAGCOR licensed sites. As Filipinos are free to choose from virtually all gambling sites without fear of punishment, there is nothing to stop you from playing at truly top, safe, and regulated casinos, even if they are based offshore.
How to Choose the Best Online Casino?
You are free to choose from PAGCOR (but even CEZA), MGA, UKGC, and Curacao licensed sites in the Philippines. In our opinion, the most trusted online casinos for the Philippines’ players may not necessarily be those that are nationally licensed. You don’t need to do all the leg work for yourself, though.
If you want to get started straight away at leading Filipino casinos, then we are here to help. Just nip over to our online gambling reviews for casinos in the Philippines to get yourself signed up and started at top, reputable, licensed, regulated, and safe internet casinos today. Allow us to highlight a few of the key points that our team looks for…
Casino Bonuses
Any casino you consider playing at should support fair bonuses and promotions. It is better to claim no offer at all than one which burdens you with excessive wagering requirements, deposit limits and win caps. Check that you can use the bonuses that are available on a decent array of games and that they are transparent before you claim them.
Games and Software
As Filipino players can choose from local and offshore casinos, they have the pick of the litter when it comes to software providers. You should only play at casinos that feature a wealth of developers. This way, you’ll have hundreds of top online casino games to choose from, spanning many different genres.
The Reputation of the Casino
Regardless of where the casino is licensed, it should be well-regulated to boot. We want to see responsible gambling tools offered to players, alongside SSL encryption, RNG certificates and transparent privacy policies. We regularly check that a Filipino casino is adhering to the industry standards in terms of safety, secure and fair play.
Casino Customer Support
If you need customer support, you should be able to obtain it from casinos in the Philippines. This means live chat support, e-mail assistance, and perhaps even telephone support. An FAQ is desirable, too. Support should at least be available in English and shouldn’t cost a cent.
Payment Methods
Payment methods are an issue Filipino players shouldn’t have. Virtually all major payment methods are accepted by PAGCOR and internationally licensed casinos in the country. Moreover, you can often proceed with bank transactions without restrictions.
Online Casino Games Available for Filipino Players
The best online casinos game in the Philippines are no different from those found elsewhere. We want to see slots, video poker, table games, live dealer titles and more. Online casinos that accept the Philippines’ players should feature a mix of hugely popular slots, but there should also be new online casino games for the Philippines’ players. On top of that, we want to see:
- RNG certified games.
- Mobile-friendly releases.
- Games that can be played at Filipino casinos for free as well as real money.
- A mix of games spanning multiple providers and genres.
Online Slots
Online slots in the Philippines should include all the most modern titles, such as progressive jackpot games, MegaWays slots, and plenty of classic/fruit slot machines. Slot machines in the Philippines should allow for a lot of variety when it comes to paylines, special features and themes.
Online Blackjack
Nationals and residents are permitted to play blackjack online for real money in the Philippines. In most cases, these games are found in dedicated online casinos, although it is not impossible that they turn up in dedicated poker rooms, either.
Online Roulette
The best online roulette gambling sites in the Philippines are those that can provide a wealth of titles from many different providers. American, European, and French roulette are a must, but alongside RNG (random number generator) games, we’d also want to see live dealer titles.
Live Dealer Games
As touched on above, live casino games should be found online in the Philippines. These should be available in English and include at least baccarat, blackjack, and roulette games, if not poker, dice and money wheel/game show titles, to boot.
Other Online Casino Games
Not many players feel the need to branch out from the game genres listed above, but if you do, there should be something awaiting you. It is not uncommon to find video poker, scratch cards and other instant win games, not to mention cryptocurrency-friendly games at the best Filipino betting sites.
Most Popular Casino Software in the Philippines
As you can see, Filipinos should have access to all sorts of games. Moreover, every major software worth its salt should provide those games. Microgaming casinos in the Philippines should be accessible, but the best NetEnt casinos should accept Philippines-based players, too.
These are just two of the most prolific developers of games, though. Filipino players should also expect to see games from the following providers:
- Asia Gaming
- BetSoft Gaming
- Big Time Gaming
- CQ9 Gaming
- Evolution Gaming
- Ezugi
- IGT
- iSoftBet
- Microgaming
- Playtech
- RealTime Gaming
- Rival Gaming
- SkillOnNet
- Top Trend Gaming
Banking Information for Filipino Players
Playing at Philippines online casinos with PayPal is only possible at PAGCOR websites. However, most online casinos accepting players from the Philippines permit VISA Debit options. You should also expect to see accepted banking options that include:
Here are the other takeaways when considering depositing or withdrawing at an online casino in the Philippines:
- PAGCOR casinos in the Philippines do not normally charge local players fees for depositing or withdrawing from their accounts.
- Deposit times should be near enough instant.
- Filipino withdrawal times can range from 24 hours up to 5-7 business days, based on the option you choose.
- Cryptocurrencies are also accepted at many top casinos in the Philippines.
Cryptocurrencies
As touched on above, cryptocurrency gameplay is legal in the Philippines. In most cases, you can look to options that include Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Tether/USDT and a few others. Why do it all, though?
-
Bitcoin betting and playing with other cryptocurrencies affords players a touch more anonymity
-
Cryptocurrency transactions are usually processed quicker than fiat currency ones
-
You tend to get a touch more security with crypto deposits
-
Most Filipino casinos have no qualms about offering crypto-friendly casino games
Mobile Gaming in the Philippines
Mobile casino gambling in the Philippines is commonplace. Moreover, there aren’t that many online gambling apps in the Philippines for nations to deal with. The question is then, how do iOS and Android players do it? They use instant play websites. These are online casinos designed and developed in HTML5. They run straight off the browser on your tablets and smartphones, saving you the trouble of downloading mobile casino apps.
The Philippines Online Casino Bonuses & Promo Codes
The Philippines is home to many online casino bonuses. Whether they are the best bonuses online casinos in the Philippines can offer or not depends entirely on their terms and conditions. We’re not overly concerned about the Philippines online casino bonus codes or not. Entering them is merely a formality.
However, we are concerned about the terms and conditions attached to bonus deals. For instance, we want to see low wagering requirements, low minimum deposit limits, high win caps (if any), and a good array of games that are bonus-friendly, so you’ve got something to use them on. All of these are criteria we rate highly when deciding which Filipino casinos to promote to our readers.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit casinos in the Philippines are hardly rare. There are plenty of new Philippines-based no deposit casinos for you to choose from, alongside old favourites. Each of these can offer new players a small sum of free cash or free spins when they decide to sign up and join them. This should give you the potential to win real money. Of course, if you want to bolster your balance, then the next bonus we will look at is arguably better suited for you.
Deposit Match
Claiming a first deposit bonus at a casino in the Philippines is something that most of you will do. After all, there is no quicker way to bolster your balance. In most cases, the offer will be valid on your first deposit or your first several deposits. The idea is that you will receive a lump sum based on the amount you deposit. Ideally, the best bonuses will be found at the Philippines’ online casinos with low deposit terms.
Free Spins
You may come across free spins as part of some kind of loyalty bonus or a VIP reward. However, it is much more common to see them afforded to new members at online casinos who claim free sign-up bonus offers with no deposit required from casinos in the Philippines. These deals work in the same way as they if you trigger them in the middle of slot gameplay. They allow you to spin the red hot reels of the slot for free, with the potential to win real money. Their availability on games may vary from site to site and deal to deal.
Reload Bonuses
There isn’t much to say about reload bonuses at Filipino online casinos. These are largely the same types of deals you can claim when you first join a casino, but they are more sporadic and offered to already existing members of the site who continue to deposit. They also tend to be worth a touch less than the initial welcome packages.
FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about gambling online in the Philippines, we’re on hand to assist you with this brief FAQ.
Will I need an ID to verify my account when betting online?
That depends on where you play. The best regulated online casinos will want you to verify your identity by handing in documents during a KYC process. Less regulated (and, therefore, less safe) sites aren’t as strict here.
What is the legal gambling age to bet online in the Philippines?
The legal gambling age depends entirely on what you want to play. If you wish to bet on the lottery, you need to be aged eighteen or over. For all other forms of gambling, including casino gambling, you must be aged twenty-one or older.
What is the legal status of Filipino online casinos?
Online casinos are legal in the Philippines, assuming you play at a PAGCOR licensed site. However, Filipino authorities don’t prosecute nationals and residents for playing at other casinos.
Can I play at a Filipino online casino if I am located elsewhere?
Yes. While PAGCOR casinos are theoretically designed for those in the Philippines, they are known for accepting players from across Asia and beyond.
Who regulates the online gambling industry in the Philippines?
PAGCOR has the authority to regulate the gambling industry in the Philippines. CEZA also licensed casinos but only does so for those located outside the Philippines. Neither goes overboard when it comes to regulation.
Are my winnings taxed if I gamble in the Philippines?
At present, any offshore operators are tolerated in the Philippines because they are due to pay a 5% income tax on revenue raised from Filipinos. PAGCOR itself pays a 5% franchise tax, and 50% of its revenue goes to the government. Player taxes are a grey zone. Officially, winnings of PHP 10,000 (or less) are taxed at 10%, while winnings above that figure are taxed at 20%. In practice, few Filipinos declare their winnings, as they don’t deem them a source of “income”.
Do I need to use a VPN to bet online?
No. Filipinos do not need a VPN to play at nationally licensed casinos. Nor do they need a license to wager at many international sites. There may be one or two that don’t accept Filipinos, and a VPN may be handy here. However, for the most part, no VPN is required.
Other countries
