Sports betting in the Philippines is strictly regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which serves as the sole government authority empowered to license and oversee all sports wagering operations (1). Any sportsbook operating without PAGCOR accreditation is considered illegal.
The legal basis for prohibiting unauthorized betting activities stems from Presidential Decree No. 1602, which declares all unlicensed games of chance, including sports wagering, unlawful and subject to hefty fines and imprisonment (2).
"Operators for sports betting shall obtain and operate sports betting products and services only from PAGCOR-accredited sports betting service providers; any sports wagering activity carried out outside the scope of accreditation shall be deemed unauthorized and subject to enforcement actions, including suspension of operational license and imposition of fines." (1)
Local residents may place bets only through licensed onshore operators, such as authorized horse racing venues under the Philippine Racing Commission and GAB-supervised pari-mutuel facilities. Offshore platforms, known as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), cater exclusively to foreign players and remain off-limits to Philippine citizens.
Source:
https://www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/pdf/Regulatory-Framework-for-Sports-Betting.pdf
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1979/12/16/presidential-decree-no-1602-s-1979/
Last updated: 22-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
