Online gambling in the Philippines is regulated by the government agency PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). PAGCOR was created in 1976 and has a monopoly on most gambling operations. In the 2000s, it began allowing online games: for example, in 2002 PAGCOR partnered with PhilWeb for Internet sports betting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a new form of betting called “e-sabong” (online cockfighting) became very popular. However, due to a series of problems (including missing gamblers and social harm), President Duterte banned e-sabong in May 2022. President Marcos later issued an order on December 28, 2022 to continue suspending all e-sabong operations. Around the same time, the government also banned offshore gaming operators (POGOs) for foreigners.
Today, only PAGCOR-licensed online gambling sites may legally operate in the Philippines. These include licensed casino games and sports betting platforms. PAGCOR even launched a public website called “PAGCOR Guarantee,” which lists all approved online gaming platforms. Any site not on that official list is illegal. The government has been actively shutting down unauthorized gambling sites. In short, legal online gambling exists under strict rules, while illegal sites are aggressively targeted.
Why Many Big Influencers Were Not Charged
The recent CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center) case only named 15 social media influencers who allegedly promoted unlicensed (illegal) gambling sites. Many well-known celebrities were not included because they were advertising PAGCOR-licensed platforms. In other words, they were promoting legal gaming services, not the outlawed ones.
In the Philippines it is not illegal to advertise a licensed gambling platform. Simply being a celebrity endorser of a legal casino or bingo site does not break any criminal law. PAGCOR itself reminds everyone that it only supports “legitimate online gaming operations”. Thus, famous personalities who advertise PAGCOR-approved sites are generally not subject to criminal charges.
By contrast, promoting an illegal gambling site is a serious offense. Lawyers have explained that endorsing an unlicensed platform can make someone an “accomplice” to illegal gambling. But if the platform holds a PAGCOR license, the endorser stays within the law (provided they follow advertising rules). In practice, authorities focus on influencers of unregulated sites. The CICC specifically targeted influencers tied to “unregulated operators.”
In summary, big stars who advertise only licensed sites were not named in the case because they didn’t break the law. They endorsed companies that pay taxes and follow PAGCOR’s rules. Acting as a spokesperson for a legal gambling platform is allowed under current rules. By contrast, influencers who push websites not on the PAGCOR list can face fines or prosecution. This explains why the CICC’s list included only those promoting illegal sites, not the celebs seen in ads for verified gaming companies.
Influencers and Celebrities Who Promoted Gambling Platforms
Here is a list of some known Filipino influencers and public figures who have promoted online gambling platforms.
| Name | Platform Promoted |
|---|---|
| Vice Ganda | GameZone (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Ivana Alawi | Bet88 (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Luis Manzano | BingoPlus (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Maine Mendoza | BingoPlus (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Piolo Pascual | BingoPlus (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Kim Chiu | BingoPlus (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Alden Richards | CasinoPlus (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Julia Barretto | CasinoPlus (PAGCOR-licensed) |
| Vic “Bossing” Sotto | PlayTime (PAGCOR-licensed) |
PAGCOR maintains a list of all authorized online gaming platforms. Some of the top licensed platforms in the Philippines include:
- BingoPlus
- BET88
- GameZone
- ArenaPlus
- PlayTime PH
- PHmapalad Casino
- Juan365
- CasinoPlus
- Solaire Online
- Okada Online
- Midori Online
- Thunderbird Online
- D’Heights Online
- Winford Online
- Newport World Casino Online
These platforms follow PAGCOR’s rules and guidelines, including age verification, tax payment, and advertising standards.
You can also check the PAGCOR’s licensed Online Gambling platforms here.
Efforts to Regulate Online Gambling
Online gambling has grown enormously in recent years. Philippine lawmakers and regulators are now pushing for tighter controls. Several senators have filed bills to ban or strictly regulate online gambling. For example, Senate Bill No. 47 by Joel Villanueva and similar measures by Pia Cayetano and Migz Zubiri call for stronger limits or even a full ban. In hearings led by Senator Erwin Tulfo and others, senators have highlighted cases of addicts losing homes and families to gambling debt. One senator asked, “Is it worth it? How many young people will lose their way? How many families do we sacrifice?” when government gambling revenue jumped from ₱58 billion in 2023 to ₱154 billion in 2024.
Government agencies are also acting. The Philippine Senate has ordered the central bank (BSP) to block gambling links in digital wallets. PAGCOR has announced a crackdown on gambling ads: in July 2025 it agreed with the Ad Standards Council to pre-screen all gambling promotions and ordered all gambling billboards removed by mid-August. PAGCOR’s CEO Alejandro Tengco said they do not want to “encourage a culture of gambling addiction”, even as they regulate the industry. The Department of Finance is studying special taxes on online gambling to pay for addiction help, and House bills are being discussed to penalize illegal sites and their promoters.
These political efforts reflect growing concern. Anti-gambling advocates worry that easy Internet access exposes young or vulnerable Filipinos to high risks. So far, the focus has been on illegal operators: unlicensed platforms are considered a “social ogre” and the government is pursuing those aggressively. Promoters of legal platforms have not drawn charges, but they have been asked to act responsibly, including making sure their ads carry warnings and do not target minors.
Conclusion
In the end, online gambling, whether legal or not, carries real risks if people are not careful. Studies and lawmakers warn that gambling can ruin lives if uneducated people chase easy money. As Sen. Pia Cayetano asked, even if the government gains revenue, “how many families do we sacrifice?” for that money. Even PAGCOR stresses “know when to stop” on its licensed sites. While legal online gambling brings tax income to the Philippines, it can also destroy personal finances, especially in poor families. High-school readers should remember: the law currently allows promotions of licensed gaming platforms, but no form of gambling is free of danger. Even a legal casino or bingo game can be harmful if accessed by youths or those who cannot afford losses. Communities are actively discussing ways to balance tax income against social costs. For now, the message is clear: only play on official, licensed sites, and always gamble responsibly.
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