The Philippines, like many countries in Asia, has rules about gambling. These rules are meant to control casinos and keep players safe. One important rule is the creation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to oversee gambling activities. Over time, the laws have changed to adapt to new trends in the market.
Nowadays, there’s a lot of focus on online gambling. With new casinos popping up, it can be hard to know which ones are trustworthy. Luckily, many Filipinos can check out reviews of peso casinos to learn everything they need to know. These reviews help people find genuine platforms. This article will talk about all the laws in the Philippines that regulate gambling.
Is Gambling Legal in the Philippines?
Yes, Legal online gambling in the Philippines is allowed. This has been the case since it was officially permitted in 1975 through Decree No. 1067-a, signed by then-president Ferdinand Marcos.
This decree led to the creation of PAGCOR, which is responsible for granting licenses and overseeing the gambling industry. PAGCOR also operates several casinos itself. Currently, there are at least 46 venues where people can gamble under the regulation of PAGCOR.
Gambling Laws in the Philippines
Let’s take a look at the laws that control gambling in the Philippines. These laws are designed to make sure that gambling operators follow international standards. They also have sections that focus on protecting players.
Decree 1067-a
Presidential Decree 1067 is the law that made gambling legal in the Philippines and created PAGCOR. It started in 1977, allowing PAGCOR to collect taxes from gambling activities. In 2007, Republic Act 9487 extended PAGCOR’s operation for 25 more years. Here are the legal entities under PAGCOR:
- Sweepstakes
- Horse race betting
- Cock fighting (Sabong)
- Small-Town Lotteries
- National Lottery.
Decree No.1602
Presidential Decree No. 1602 (PD 1602) is a law that deals with illegal gambling. It makes the rules simpler and sets punishments for those who break them. It was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1978.
Some important parts of this law include:
- Presidential Decree No. 519
- Presidential Decree No. 499 (about Cockfighting)
- Presidential Decree No. 483 (about fixing games)
- Articles 195-199 of Republic Act 3063 (about horse racing)
- Presidential Decree No. 519 (about Slot machines)
- Presidential Decree No. 1036 (about Jai Alai)
The aim is to clear up any confusion and make things more organised for today’s needs.
Republic Act (RA) 9287
RA 9287 is a change to PD 1602. This change made the punishments in the original law tougher and created the Anti-Illegal Gambling Board (AGB). It also explains what illegal gambling is and which games the agency will focus on stopping. RA 9287 gives powers to the AGB. It also says that poker, casino, and sports betting are legal.
Decree No. 1869
PD 1869 is a law that puts together Decrees 1067-a, 1067-b, 1067-c, 1399, and 1632. Its main goal is to create rules for regulating all kinds of gambling through an agency. This law helps to clarify things for PAGCOR.
Republic Act 7922
The Republic Act 7922, also called the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, is a law that oversees the establishment of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). One of its goals is to develop more traditional gambling places in a certain area for operators to set up their businesses. However, only tourists are allowed to play at these physical locations because Filipino players are not allowed by law.
Executive Order No. 13
Executive Order No. 13 started in 2017 when President Rodrigo Duterte signed it on February 2nd. It aims to fight illegal gambling better. The order also says who can give licenses for gambling. It tells law enforcement to help gambling authorities stop illegal gambling places. This helps to have more legal gambling places and make more money for the government.
Republic Act No. 10927
Republic Act No. 10927 is a change to Republic Act 9160 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. It aims to keep an eye on all money transactions. Any transactions of P5 million or more will be reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council for investigation. The goal is to stop illegal gambling and increase the government’s income.
Now, because of RA 10927, there are new rules. It includes promoting top GCash online casinos. These casinos let players use GCash to fund their accounts. They offer bonuses and high-quality games. Many operators now offer services to players both in the Philippines and internationally.
House Bill 8910
House Bill 8910 was introduced in 2019. It was approved by the Philippines’ Congress to make government agencies work better. It also deals with the problem of illegal online cockfighting (e-sabong)
Take Away:
Philippine gambling laws aim to explain and control what gambling operators can do in the country. They set rules for government agencies, crack down on illegal gambling, and bring in more money. They also want to encourage tourists to gamble, but there aren’t any laws for online betting and gaming.