How to Verify if an Online Casino is Legal in the Philippines

Online gambling is one of the Philippines’ largest industries and a significant driver of growth. In 2024, the country’s gross gambling revenue (GGR) reached a record Php 410 billion, equivalent to $7.16 billion, representing a 24.6% increase from the previous year. This continued growth of the industry has led to the launch of new online casinos that are ready to offer the best games, bonuses, and betting experiences for local bettors.

However, the industry’s growth has led to a few issues, particularly the sites’ legitimacy and reliability. If you’re planning to play or looking for ways to stay safe, we’ve got your back. On this page, we’ll guide you on how to verify the casino’s background, from its licensing and registration to security.

Why Bet and Play at Legal Casinos?

There are plenty of reasons why you should only play at licensed and regulated online casinos. For simplicity, we’ll only cover two important reasons: safety and players’ protection.

Safety is a non-negotiable when playing and betting at a casino. You’re sharing information and wagering with real money, so you can feel safe every time. All these are possible if you’re with a legit and legal casino. Since it’s licensed and registered, it complies with existing industry laws and regulations. It means games run using a Random Number Generator (RNGs), thus they’re generally fair. Licensed casinos also partner with trusted payment methods, like GCash and Maya, ensuring security and convenience in payments every time.

Then, online casino Philippines legal sites always aim for players’ protection. These sites go the extra mile to let bettors feel safe. In addition to their compliance with KYCs and AML policies, these betting sites promote fairness and transparency in their operations. They offer clear and transparent T&Cs, and payments are fast without the usual red tape.

How to Verify if a Casino is Legit and Registered to Accept Bets?

Now that we’ve explained the benefits of playing at a legal online casino Philippines, we’re ready to explain the tips on how to verify their legitimacy.

Look for its remote license and registration

In the Philippines, the lead agency tasked to operate and license these gambling sites is the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR. A legit casino and sportsbook will display the PAGCOR logo, its license number, often with a link to the official government page. You’ll also find offshore licensed casinos, or those that are licensed and regulated outside of the Philippines. Typically, these betting sites are authorised to operate under Maltese or Curacao laws.

Here’s how to check: You can visit PAGCOR’s official page, then look for its list of legal online casino in Philippines. Or, you can visit the casino and browse its pages to find its remote license information. Typically, you’ll find these details on the site’s ‘About Us’ page. Some operators display this information at the bottom of the homepage.

Check the casino’s ‘About Us’ and other sections

Aside from the licensing info, the website also carries other crucial details which can help you verify the site’s legitimacy.

What to look for? Check the company’s address and its contact options. A legit casino boasts a transparent ‘About Us’ section that lists its experiences and background. Also, the listed contact options work, which include email and live chat.

Look for secure website indicators

As players, we want to bet at a site that’s safe and secure. Today’s top casinos strive to protect players’ funds and data by implementing a few security policies, from fraud protection, SSL encryption to data policies.

Check the following: Verify the casinos’ address by looking at the “https://” in the URL, see if there’s a padlock symbol 🔒beside the address field.

Final Thoughts

Today’s online casino industry continues to grow, offering bettors and fans plenty of exciting options. Whether you’re a fan of casino games, sports betting, or rewarding bonuses, you can easily find a casino offering what you need. While it’s fun and potentially rewarding to play, don’t just jump into the game without doing due diligence. Always ask: Is online casino legal in the Philippines, and which is the best casino site? In this article, we’ve covered the basics on how to check and verify the legitimacy of a casino. Use our tips and recommendations here if you’re planning to bet and join the growing community of casino players.

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