The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation will launch a mobile application allowing players to access only licensed online gaming platforms. Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco announced the move during budget hearings at the House of Representatives on August 24. Release is scheduled before the end of 2026.
Tengco said the app addresses two problems: curbing illegal gambling and protecting players by directing them to regulated platforms with dispute resolution mechanisms. Around 50% of online casinos available in the Philippines operate without a licence, creating risks for users and complicating enforcement.
The app will simplify operator status checks. PAGCOR currently offers a web service called PAGCOR Guarantee, launched in 2025, but the mobile format is expected to lower the barrier and increase the share of traffic going to legal sites.
PAGCOR is also coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation Centre. Joint efforts target blocking unlicensed operators and their payment channels.
What it means for arbitrage
Affiliates driving traffic to the Philippines should track the list of licensees. The app may cut conversions on grey offers, as users gain an easy way to distinguish legal platforms from unlicensed ones. If PAGCOR achieves mass adoption, white-label brands stand to gain traffic at the expense of unlicensed operators.
