Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR estimates that around half of all online gambling sites accessible in the country operate without a licence. Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco disclosed the figure during a House of Representatives budget committee hearing on Monday.
PAGCOR plans to launch a mobile app to help players distinguish licensed platforms from illegal ones. The app will extend the PAGCOR Guarantee website, which went live in June 2025 and maintains a current list of licensed operators with direct links to authorised platforms. Tengco noted that customers of licensed operators have access to formal dispute resolution procedures. Whether the app will be able to block access to illegal sites has not been specified.
PAGCOR is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation Centre to block unlicensed operators and their payment channels. For operators and affiliates, this signals increased pressure on the grey market and tighter traffic control — players on unlicensed platforms may begin migrating to the regulated perimeter.
