Online gambling is legal in the Philippines. However this does not mean that everything is allowed and illegal gambling activities still happen. Both consumers and especially operators must be aware of the regulations and the illegal gambling penalty they receive for breaking them.
In this article from QMRA we will discuss legal and illegal gambling in the Philippines and the penalties that can come with it. Read along to learn more!
Legal vs illegal gambling in the Philippines
The Philippines knows a strictly regulated gambling market. Meaning that to offer gambling in the Philippines license apply. And as licenses apply, government orgnaizations give them out and regulate the market. There are multiple of these organizations which together regulate the market, being the:
- Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
- Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA)
- and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO)
They can all give out valid licenses regarding different forms of gambling. If a gambling operator is not in pocession of such a license it is considered to be illegal.
Consumers and possible penalties
You might think that playing a few hands on an unlicensed poker site wouldn’t land you in trouble – but the law says otherwise. Under Presidential Decree No. 1602, amended by Republic Act No. 9287, any person caught participating in illegal gambling activities faces the following:
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First-time offenders may receive a fine ranging from PHP 500 (about 9 US Dollars) to PHP 10,000 (about 180 US Dollars).
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Depending on the type and frequency of the offense, violators can face imprisonment from 30 days to 6 years.
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Repeat offenders and those caught promoting or organizing illegal gambling may be subject to higher fines and longer jail terms.
While enforcement may not always be aggressive toward individual players, especially in online settings, there is still legal risk. In addition, participating in illegal gambling may open consumers up to fraud, data breaches, or loss of funds with little legal recourse.
Illegal gambling penalties operators
For operators running illegal online gambling platforms, especially those targeting Philippine citizens without a proper license, the penalties are far more severe.
Under Philippine law:
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Operators may face fines ranging from PHP 100,000 (about 1800 US Dollars) to millions of pesos, depending on the scale of the operation.
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There are also criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to 20 years, especially when syndicates or organized groups are involved.
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Properties, equipment, and funds used in illegal gambling may be seized or forfeited by the government.
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Foreign nationals found operating illegal gambling businesses may be deported and blacklisted.
In recent years, there has been a strong government crackdown on illegal gambling, especially in the online sphere. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regularly conduct raids, leading to arrests and shutdowns of unlawful operations.
Why Is the Government Cracking Down?
Illegal gambling is often linked to money laundering, tax evasion, and organized crime. Unregulated platforms may also lack consumer protection mechanisms, increasing the risks for users.
Additionally, the government loses substantial revenue when gambling taxes go uncollected. Legal operators are required to pay licensing fees, taxes, and other regulatory dues, which fund public services and infrastructure.
To make sure that the illegal market cannot thrive any further the Philippine government has been cracking down on these operations.
How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law
To avoid penalties or legal trouble:
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Only gamble on licensed platforms – Check if the operator is regulated by PAGCOR or another Philippine authority.
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Avoid underground apps or websites that promise high payouts without verifying their legal status.
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Report suspicious activities to authorities if you suspect illegal gambling operations in your area.
Stay away from illegal gambling
Illegal gambling in the Philippines does not only involve possible legal consequences but also poor consumer protection. As a player be safe and only play at licensed operators, wherever you are in the world.
At QMRA we can help with this issue. Our affiliates only offer legal online gambling operators. Every affiliate gets thoroughly screened on their offerings and are checked for their compliance with local legislation. Searching for a legal gambling offer in your country? Than use one of our affiliates!
