Regulatory
PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)
Definition
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the state-owned body that both regulates gambling in the Philippines and runs its own casinos. It once licensed offshore gaming operators (POGOs), a power revoked when the Philippines banned the sector.
Key takeaways
- PAGCOR both regulates Philippine gambling and runs state casino operations, a dual role unusual among regulators.
- Its POGO licences let Philippine-based operators serve players abroad, mainly in mainland China, until the sector was banned.
- The Anti-POGO Act of 2025 made the ban permanent and revoked PAGCOR's power to license offshore gaming.
Why it matters
PAGCOR has held a distinctive dual role as both regulator and operator of gambling activities in the Philippines, including running the state casino operations alongside licensing private casinos and offshore-facing operations. The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) licence framework permitted operators to base in the Philippines and serve players in other countries, primarily mainland China. The POGO sector grew rapidly through the late 2010s before becoming a political flashpoint over employment of foreign workers and concerns about regulatory and crime issues.
The Philippine government ordered POGO operations to end by the close of 2024, formalised the ban through Executive Order No. 74 in November 2024, and made it permanent with the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 (Republic Act No. 12312), which revoked PAGCOR's power to license offshore gaming. The ban carried significant industry and economic implications. The wind-down has been observed closely across Asian gambling markets as it reshapes the regional offshore landscape. Domestic Philippine licensing for the local population continues under separate framework, including the established land-based casino sector that includes major properties from Bloomberry Resorts and others.
Sources
- Republic Act No. 12312 (Anti-POGO Act of 2025) - Lawphil (Philippine statute text)
Frequently asked questions
What was distinctive about the POGO framework?
It explicitly licensed operators based in the Philippines to serve players in other countries, particularly mainland China where gambling is prohibited. The framework brought in licensing revenue and employment but became politically untenable as concerns about associated activity grew, leading to the end-2024 ban and the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 (Republic Act No. 12312), which revoked PAGCOR's power to license offshore gaming.
Does Philippine gambling remain a viable market?
For domestic players yes. Land-based casinos continue to operate under PAGCOR oversight. Online gambling for Philippine residents has been more restricted in recent years. The market remains commercially relevant but on a different basis than during the POGO peak.