New App to Filter Licensed Platforms
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced plans to launch a mobile application designed to guide online gaming players toward licensed and regulated platforms. Speaking before the House Committee on Appropriations during a budget hearing, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco stated that the application is scheduled for release before the end of the year. According to Tengco, the initiative aims to strengthen player protection amid a rise in illegal online gaming operations.
Objectives and Player Redress
According to PAGCOR, the upcoming application has two primary objectives: to curb illegal online gambling and to protect players by ensuring they only patronize platforms licensed and regulated by the state agency. Tengco emphasized that playing through a licensed operator provides players with a formal mechanism to resolve disputes. “Basta’t may lisensya ang pinaglalaruan ninyo, mayroong process of resolution kung magkakaproblema kayo” (As long as the platform you are playing on is licensed, there is a resolution process if you encounter problems), Tengco explained.
Addressing the Proliferation of Unlicensed Sites
The state regulator revealed that approximately 50 percent of online gaming websites accessed within the Philippines are currently illegal. Tengco noted that keeping players within the regulated sector remains an ongoing challenge for PAGCOR and its law enforcement partners. To address this, PAGCOR is collaborating with the following government agencies to prosecute illegal operators and target their payment channels:
- Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
- National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
- Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC)
The new app will build upon the PAGCOR Guarantee website, an online verification tool launched in 2025 to help the public verify the licensing status of online gaming providers.
Source Note: This report is based entirely on official statements and disclosures from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
