The Philippines is a cluster of islands in the Asian continent. Other than the uniqueness of its territory, the Philippines has established itself as a gambling hub. The country’s authorities were established long before most modern bodies.

Legal gambling in the country has been modified to include new and contemporary activities. The territory has an expanse, legal gambling landscape that has been changing; and today, it offers provisions that regulate both online and land-based casinos.

Although the gambling laws in the country may seem a bit confusing, many offshore gambling sites accept players from the Philippines.

Licensing and Regulation of Online Casinos in the Philippines

As stated above, the Philippines have stringent gambling laws. The first regulatory authority that was put in place is the Philippine Amusement and Gambling Corporation (PAGCOR). The regulatory body was set up in 1976 by then-president Ferdinand Marcos. It still operates today as the government authority regulating gambling activities in the region.

Although this regulatory body covers a larger part of the Philippines territory, there’s another body that regulates the enclosed region of the commercialized grounds. This regulatory body licenses all resorts and hotels in this region, and because of its limiting policies, locals are restricted from joining visitors in their gambling activities. This region is known as the Cagayan Freeport. It has a specific establishment that licenses and regulates casinos in the region.

Legal Online Gambling

The online gambling industry in the Philippines has been growing steadily over the years. But like other regions in the world, the country has regulatory policies. The respective jurisdictions we’ve discussed above have the authority to license and regulate online casinos. PAGCOR issues licenses to a specific group of e-café locals, which includes the local population, whereas the latter jurisdiction provides licenses to online operators. But these platforms don’t cater to the people of Philippines, even though they are legally allowed to operate.

However, there was a court ruling in 2012 that stated there is no piece of legislature in the Philippines that prohibits the citizens from gambling. As such, numerous international online casinos are offering their services to the untapped potential, providing them with the best online casino games from leading software developers. Players are, however, advised to keep in mind the offshore status of the operators. Most importantly, they must be extremely cautious when gambling with real money as it is required in this practice.

On the other hand, online casinos licensed by the relevant authorities in the Philippines can cater to customers outside of the territory’s limits.

To simplify things, PAGCOR doesn’t allow Philippine players to access casinos from their homes whereas Cagayan online casinos are accessible only to foreign players.

Top Gambling Sites for Philippines

Philippine players are catered by the wide range of off-shore online casinos, which means the authorities in the nation do not license them. As such, the main consideration for Philippine players to make the most from gambling sites is to choose a trustworthy online casino.

For this reason, it is crucial to keep in mind a few guidelines to ensure you have the best online gambling experience:

• Licensing

Although the governing body does not license them in your country, players must ensure their preferred online casino has been licensed and is regulated by reputable authorities. Otherwise, they will be risking their money without any legal framework to appeal to.

• Game selection

A good online casino should also be entertaining. When looking for an online casino, choose one that has a wide range of games you prefer. This is the only way to ensure you have the best online gambling experience.

• Banking

You also need to consider how you will be making payments and withdrawals at the online casino. It is recommended to choose an online casino that offers a range of payment methods.

• Reviews

Players who have previously gambled at an online casino normally post their experience on online review sites. Reviews can help you choose the best online casino. So make sure you search for reviews on relevant platforms before playing on the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which gambling sites can be accessed by players from the Philippines?

There is a wide range of online casinos available to players from the Philippines. Players can visit their chosen online casinos and take advantage of the benefits offered after signing up.

Will players be able to play classic game types offered by the gambling industry?

Online casinos that cater to Philippine players have a wide selection of games. But of course, this depends on the operator. Nonetheless, players can enjoy a wide range of industry standard slots, table games, bingo, video poker, Keno, live dealer games and even sports betting markets.

Can players from the Philippines benefit from promotions and bonuses?

Although promotions and bonuses depend on the operator you choose, Philippine players can benefit from a range of bonus and promos offered on the online gambling industries around the world.

Is mobile gambling available to Philippine players?

Most online casino websites today are mobile friendly. That’s because many people today own smartphones and they want to be able to play their favorite casino games on the go. Although there are a few that have not optimized their services, the best operators catering to Philippine players have mobile-optimized websites.

Which payment methods are available to Philippine players?

Payment methods accepted include e-wallets, credit cards, online and prepaid processors.