Quick Primer on the Legality of Sports Betting in the Philippines

Together with Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, the Philippines is a key betting market with legal sports betting platforms. Online betting in the Philippines is growing fast, with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) at the helm of regulating the industry. Many experts and observers even say the Philippines has the region’s ‘most dynamic gaming market,’ with a chance to eclipse Singapore’s gross gaming revenues.

 

And the numbers for the Philippines’ online sports betting market don’t lie. In ICE London 2024, PAGCOR reported a banner year in 2023 as the e-gaming sector contributed Php 58.16 billion to the gross gaming revenues (GGR), a 90% increase from the previous year. A key driver to the country’s online sports betting scene is the improvement of regulation. The Philippines has a tightly regulated gambling industry, covering both local operators and offshore licensees.

 

Good News, Filipino Sports Fans!

Sports betting in the Philippines is legal, unlike many other forms of gambling.

 

Thanks to friendly sports betting laws and an increasing number of sportsbooks and casinos, wagering on sports has become easier and more convenient. If you’re from the Philippines, there are two ways to bet on sports. Firstly, you can visit a physical betting shop in the Philippines. These are PAGCOR-licensed and let you bet on popular sports, including basketball, boxing, and tennis. Secondly, you can visit online sportsbooks where you track scores, view matches, and bet on sports virtually.

 

You have two options for online sportsbooks: sign up and bet on local online betting sites or place your bets on one of the popular offshore casinos. Regardless of your choice, we recommend betting at a licensed sportsbook Philippines website.

 

So, What Can You Legally Bet On?

Now that we have discussed the legal aspects of sports betting Philippines, the next crucial questions are what, where, and how. If you’re from the Philippines, you can enjoy online sports betting and visit and play at brick-and-mortar betting sites. As part of the legal sports betting framework, the government, through PAGCOR licenses, monitors both online and brick-and-mortar betting sites. Under PAGCOR’s mandate, it doesn’t just license sportsbooks; it also operates a few casinos and sportsbooks. Also, you can join and bet on offshore licensed sites or those operating under foreign regulators like Malta, Curacao, and Costa Rica.

 

Regardless of where you bet, the type of betting markets and options are generally the same. Most popular legal sports betting platforms allow bettors to play pre-match, in-play, and outright betting. For forms of betting, there are singles, parlay, and systems. Finally, the types of bets on these websites will depend on the sports available. Most sportsbooks accept bets on basketball, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, and even eSports, so moneyline, totals, and spreads are the most popular.

 

Revisiting the Legality of Online Sports Betting

PAGCOR regulates the country’s online sports betting industry, guided by its regulatory frameworks

and gaming site regulatory manuals. For example, the Revised Regulatory Framework for Remote Gaming Platform spells out the rules for online gaming. Under this framework, the following rules apply to all players and stakeholders:

 

• Players must be at least 21 years of age to register and play
• That he/she is not a government employee or not connected to the operations of the government
• Players need to pass through the Know Your Customer (KYC) process
• Players must upload scanned copies of their government IDs
• Payments are through AML-compliant channels only

 

The signup process may look complicated, but it’s required in the legal sports betting industry. While signing up with websites that don’t practice due diligence is tempting, these aren’t recommended. Signing up with a licensed sportsbook is always recommended to protect your funds and information. Also, you’ll get professional support and a reliable complaint resolution policy when playing at a licensed site.

 

For withdrawals, expect that the initial processing times may be slow. Sportsbook operators often take time to undertake KYC as part of the due diligence. If the request indicates 1 business day and it’s already 2 days past schedule, you can contact the casino first to verify. As licensed gambling sites, these sportsbooks reserve the right to withhold payment or bonus or even investigate an account if they see some violations. As such, it’s always better to carefully read the sportsbook’s Privacy Policy and its Terms and Conditions before signing up for an account.

 

What Lies Ahead for the Philippines’s Sports Betting Industry

The Philippines had a banner year in 2023, thanks to a 90% increase in online gambling activities compared to the previous year. E-gaming remains the biggest growth driver, contributing Php 58.16 billion to the country’s gross gaming revenues (GGR). The country’s online gaming market is expected to grow thanks to policy changes and the popularity of betting apps.

 

At the end of 2023, PAGCOR boasted more than 1,000 licensed online sports betting sites, and it expects more applications to come in. Many gambling operators see the country as an attractive destination, thanks to its growing player base and popularity in sports. Recently, PAGCOR revisited its rules on Philippine offshore gaming operators, or POGOs, subject to new rules and regulations. According to the agency, these are now called Internet Gaming Licensees or IGL, subject to their compliance with the Internet Gaming Licensing Regulations, which took effect last July 2023.

 

Also, player engagement will continue to increase with the popularity of betting apps and mini-programs for e-wallets. If you own an e-wallet in the Philippines, it’s now easier to access these sports betting Philippines sites with just a few taps on the phone. Speaking of e-wallets, these payment platforms are becoming popular among sports fans and bettors. Sportsbooks partners with GCash, PayMaya, and GrabPay to make quick, secure payments. There’s also an increasing number of legal sports betting sites

 

Finally, players can enhance their betting experience using the tools and resources operators offer, such as live streaming, boosted odds and odds calculators, and early cash-out.

Conclusion

Thanks to mobile betting apps, increasing licensees, and improved sports betting policies, the country’s sports betting industry is on a roll. Today, betting on sports and eSports is allowed on brick-and-mortar casinos and websites. You can visit a licensed betting site or access an online sportsbook using your mobile device. For a more convenient betting experience, you can download and install the app to access the betting markets anytime.

 

Thanks to mobile betting apps, increasing licensees, and improved sports betting policies, the country’s sports betting industry is on a roll. Today, betting on sports and eSports is allowed on brick-and-mortar casinos and websites. You can visit a licensed betting site or access an online sportsbook using your mobile device. For a more convenient betting experience, you can download and install the app to access the betting markets anytime.

 

 

To participate in betting, you must be at least 21 years old and not connected to the government. Also, PAGCOR requires all operators to run the KYC protocol to prevent underage gambling and protect everyone from potential fraud. Some websites require bettors to upload documents, while others only ask for your local phone number.

 

Betting on sports remains a popular leisure activity, and it can be thrilling, too, especially when your bet wins. But remember, no matter how exciting betting can be, it’s best to play responsibly. Always set your limits and bet responsibly every time.