Online Casinos Philippines

Online Casinos in the Philippines by Type

The online gambling industry in the Philippines is saturated with different kinds of casinos. This is because Filipino players have different tastes and preferences when it comes to online gambling.

With this understanding, online casinos fall under different categories. We have put together lists of casinos available in the country based on their types. That way, you can easily locate a casino that matches your taste.

Popular Banking Methods in Philippines Casinos

Gambling is a fun-filled pastime when you do it right. You can decide to do it purely for fun or put down some wagers and see if it’s your lucky day. Let’s go with the latter.

To have a fun gaming experience, you must first pick a convenient payment solution. Online casinos in the Philippines accept a wide range of banking options. This makes sure players have much-needed convenience when transacting.

For a variety of reasons such as transaction speeds and funds safety, some payment methods are more popular than others. In this section, we'll look at the most popular payment options in the Philippines. Find out more about them below.

Most Popular Slot Games in the Philippines

The online gambling space in the Philippines has lots of exciting slot titles to keep you engaged. These games are supplied by some of the leading software providers worldwide.

With that said. Filipino players have different tastes when it comes to slot games. This is why some slot titles are a lot more popular than others. Let's cut to the chase and look at the most popular video slots in the country.

Gambling Regulations in the Philippines

The Philippines has some pretty interesting laws with regard to online gambling. This is because the country is divided into two regions for both land-based and online casinos.

For one, the northern part of the country is regarded as the majority. In this region, gambling is strictly regulated and supervised by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

This is a state-owned gambling regulator and casino company that has been in existence since the 1970s. PAGCOR is the body that supervises all betting locations and physical casinos within the borders.

Filipino players are free to play at brick-and-mortar joints and gambling sites approved by the PAGCOR. What's more, the players can also place bets at the various betting terminals regulated by the PAGCOR.

At present, the PAGCOR has no say over foreign online casinos. That's why you will come across casinos with licenses from regulators such as the MGA, the Curacao eGaming Authority, and the UKGC.

It is illegal for independent operators in the Philippines to accept Filipino players. This, however, does not prevent foreign casinos from accepting such players. But this is as long as the site has no ties with the country.

A court ruling in 2012 determined that no law shows that it's illegal to place wagers online. So, Filipino players are always free to sign up and play at their preferred offshore casino sites.

The second region with regard to online gaming is the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. In this region, the PAGCOR only has partial control. This is why independent casino operators in the region can only accept tourist customers.

Online Casino Regulations Specific to the Philippines

As said in the beginning, all countries formulate gambling laws specific to their nation. This is to ensure that players are protected from doggy casino sites. Besides, without the regulations, most gambling sites might end up taking advantage of unsuspecting gamblers.

The Philippines has gambling laws specific to operators and residents. These regulations come with various restrictions worth noting.

First off, the legal gambling age in the islands is set at 21 years. This applies to online and physical gambling venues. For minors, illegal gambling attracts hefty fees and can lead to imprisonment.

Secondly, independent casino operators in the country are prohibited from accepting Filipino players. Offshore sites with no connection to the country are however not subject to this law.

With that said, the Philippines prohibits local gambling sites from offering specific games. The games include the Last Two, Jueteng, and Masiao. The country considers these games highly addictive compared to others.

Finally, the country's gambling law only allows local gamblers to physical casinos. This consequently leaves native players with offshore casinos as their only refuge.

Land-based Casinos in the Philippines

Gambling at physical casinos in the Philippines has been legal for a little over 3 decades now. In fact, the country's gambling law allows these joints to offer their services over the internet as well. However, this was not always the case until online casinos began taking over.

The regulations set by the PAGCOR require all physical casinos to obtain licenses. Obtaining a PAGCOR permit is not that easy, considering the various restrictions that operators must adhere to. Nonetheless, the license is important as it proves compliance.

Land-based casino operators must pay roughly PHP 1.65 million when applying for certification. Also, they must pay about PHP 247,000 yearly for license renewal.

Due to the strict gambling laws, the country now has only 51 physical casinos spread out all over. Out of this number, 38 are operated by PAGCOR, while 13 are owned privately.

Interestingly, most of these physical casino joints are found in Manila. Perhaps it is because it is the capital and is home to various popular tourist attractions.

Top land-based casinos in the Philippines include:

• Resorts World Manila
• City of Dreams
• Solaire Resort and Casino
• Okada Manila
• Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino
• Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila

Unbeknownst to many, table games such as roulette and blackjack are the most commonly played games at these joints. Slot machines and lotteries are also quite popular.

Responsible Gambling in the Philippines

Gambling is such a fun activity if practiced correctly. The fact that you can earn real money from playing your favorite games is a wonderful concept. Nonetheless, it is always wise to have a budget of how much you want to gamble.

Since it's a risky affair, you're always bound to take losses. That is why it's crucial to only gamble what you are willing to lose.

Precisely put, problem gambling is the desire to keep gambling whether you win or lose. It is also referred to as compulsive gambling or gambling addiction. Most problem gamblers fail to factor in the consequences of irresponsible gambling.

Compared to several jurisdictions, the Filipino government is a lot more serious about responsible gambling. That is why there are strict measures in place to deal with gambling addiction and abuse.

Even so, problem gambling is still a significant issue to date. About 1000 players on the island are banned from gambling at physical gaming establishments.

Another 2000 players have willingly joined the PAGCOR’s self-exclusion program.

What's more, most gaming sites on the island partner with various organizations that deal with compulsive gambling. These institutions employ different techniques to help problem gamblers recover fully.

That aside, some casinos have their internal restrictions, such as deposit limits. This usually helps control how frequently you interact with the sites.

Also, there are gambling sites that have their own self-exclusion programs. These schemes are ideal for players who have acknowledged that they have a gambling problem that needs a quick solution. That way, they are able to pause their gambling by themselves.

International responsible gambling help is also available to Filipinos. You can reach out to bodies like Gamblers Anonymous for professional help.

Curious facts

Did you know…

• Manila Bay Resort is the largest physical casino in the Philippines
• PAGCOR prohibits local independent online casino operators from accepting Filipino players.
• The Philippines has earned upwards of €700 million in gambling revenue annually since 2022.