PAGCOR Targets December Launch for App to Verify Licensed Gambling Sites

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is targeting December 2026 for the launch of a mobile app that identifies licensed online gambling platforms. The initiative is intended to help players distinguish regulated gambling websites from unauthorized operators.

In its announcement, PAGCOR confirmed that its board approved the application’s development and implementation on October 8. The decision includes a proposed partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center, Inc. (DCI), which would provide technical services for the platform.

PAGCOR App Will Help Players Identify Licensed Gambling Sites

The planned application will allow users to check whether online gaming platforms hold valid PAGCOR authorization. The regulator expects the service to help consumers avoid unlicensed websites that operate outside the country’s gambling supervision and player protection requirements.

According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, giving the public a dependable method of checking gambling licences is an important part of the agency’s response to unauthorized online gambling.

The regulator first announced the planned application in August, initially setting a launch target before the end of 2026. The latest announcement narrows that timetable to December and provides further information about its development arrangements.

PAGCOR already operates the PAGCOR Guarantee website, introduced in 2025, which allows consumers to check the licensing status of online gaming providers. The forthcoming mobile application is intended to extend the regulator’s existing verification efforts to a dedicated mobile platform.

Five-Year Technology Partnership Includes Security Assessment

Under the proposed arrangement, DCI would be responsible for developing, hosting, operating and maintaining the application, alongside providing technical support. PAGCOR said these services would be delivered at no cost to the regulator, subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The partnership would run for five years, with the possibility of renewal through mutual written agreement. However, full-scale implementation remains subject to an evaluation of the application’s technical capabilities and security arrangements.

Before a wider rollout, DCI must present a proof of concept for the platform’s minimum viable product. PAGCOR will conduct a six-month assessment covering the proposed features, system architecture, cybersecurity controls and overall technical feasibility.

The regulator may terminate the arrangement if deficiencies identified during the assessment are not resolved within a reasonable period. PAGCOR has not specified how the six-month evaluation will align with its December launch target, leaving the scope and timing of full implementation to be clarified.

The project must also comply with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable cybersecurity and information security requirements. Data-sharing provisions will be included in the partnership agreement or addressed through a separate agreement between the parties.

Philippines Expands Measures Against Illegal Online Gambling

The verification app forms part of a broader government effort to address unlicensed online gambling operations. PAGCOR is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center to strengthen enforcement.

Philippine authorities have previously pursued illegal gambling website enforcement, including measures targeting unauthorized platforms and online promotions. The new application would add a consumer-facing verification service to those existing regulatory activities.

PAGCOR has also emphasized that gambling through licensed operators provides a framework for resolving player complaints and disputes. Unauthorized platforms may not offer equivalent regulatory protections, making licence verification an important distinction for consumers.

The December target represents the next milestone for the application, although its broader implementation will depend on the required technical assessment. PAGCOR has not yet announced a specific release date or confirmed when the full range of verification features will become available to users.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation