The online casino industry in the Philippines is booming, but with that growth comes the risk of encountering unlicensed or fraudulent operators. If you’re a player, affiliate, or investor, verifying the legitimacy of a Philippine online casino license is crucial for protecting your money and your reputation.
This guide will walk you through the process of verifying the legality of an online casino in the Philippines—using BingoPlus as a real-world example—and help you identify the signs of a legitimate versus illegitimate operation.
Why a Philippine Casino License Matters
A license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) ensures that an online casino:
- Operates legally under Philippine law
- Adheres to strict fairness and transparency standards
- Is regularly audited for compliance
- Offers player protection mechanisms
Without a license, a casino could disappear with your money, manipulate game outcomes, or fail to deliver winnings.
Verify the License on PAGCOR’s Official Website
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the main regulator for physical and online casinos in the Philippines. Let’s use BingoPlus as an example. Here’s how to verify if BingoPlus online casino is licensed by PAGCOR:
Step 1: Check the Casino Website for Licensing Details
Take BingoPlus as an example. Let’s start with the official website of the platform. Visit the BingoPlus official website (https://bingoplus.ph), carefully check the information area at the bottom of the website, and find the legal declaration information on the website, such as the PAGCOR logo, platform name, license number, etc.
Step 2: Visit PAGCOR’s Official Website
Once you have completed your initial review, the next step is to go to the Philippines’ only government-authorized gambling regulations and licensing website (https://www.pagcor.ph). Never trust third-party claims of licensing, always verify them here.
Step 3: Navigate to the Licensing Page
Follow the steps below on the PAGCOR homepage
- Click or hover over the “Gambling Operations” option in the main menu
- Click “Electronic Gaming Licensing” in the drop-down menu
- Scroll down the page and find “List of PAGCOR-Accredited Gaming System Administrators and Online Gaming Platforms of Licensed Casinos” and click it.
- You will see a list of authorized operators in a PDF file type that can be previewed online, including the Gaming System Administrator, brand, game offering, and official Damains.
Step 4: Search for BingoPlus or Its Licensed Operator
Now find the verification information of BingPlus in the list listed by PAGCOR:
- Platform name: BingoPlus
- Operator name: AB Leisure Exponent Inc.
- Registered domain name: https://bingoplus.ph
As shown in the figure, after verifying the above information one by one in the list, we can see that the license information of BingoPlus listed in the PAGCOR list, such as platform name, operator and registered domain name, is exactly the same. If you do not find the casino license information you want to verify in the list, it means that it is not legally operating within the jurisdiction of the Philippines.
What If the Casino Is Not Licensed?
If the online casino you’re using isn’t listed on the PAGCOR website:
Do not deposit money
If you haven’t started playing at this casino yet, then you should stop exploring this casino. If you are using this casino to place bets, then what you need to do now is to stop and withdraw the balance in your account to your bank account to avoid having your funds defrauded.
Report an Illegal Site
If you have family or friends who are using this online casino, you can inform them of this or even contact PAGCOR directly through the contact form or email to report the suspicious site and save other players from being scammed.
Remember: Just because a site uses the PAGCOR logo doesn’t mean it’s truly licensed. Always confirm with the official PAGCOR database.
Watch Out for Fake or Impersonating Sites
In the Philippine gaming industry, counterfeit websites are very common, especially some well-known brands such as BingoPlus, which are often imitated by criminals to mislead players. These counterfeit websites often look very similar, and the domain name may only differ by one letter or number. Some fraudulent platforms even forge the PAGCOR logo in an attempt to get away with it. To protect your funds from being defrauded, be alert to the following signs:
- Be careful to verify that the casino’s actual domain name matches the address listed by PAGCOR.
- Some online casinos may lack company registration or operator information
- Promotions that are too good to be true
- No mention of PAGCOR or only a low-quality image of the PAGCOR logo
- Websites that are not secure (use HTTP instead of HTTPS)
Therefore, verification is not just about checking the claims on the website, but also cross-checking with PAGCOR’s official list to ensure that the company and official website domains listed on the website are consistent with official records. Players should also avoid clicking on gambling links received in text messages, social media or messaging apps, as these are most likely phishing links that lure you to fraudulent websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Conclusion
Before participating in online gambling in the Philippines, confirming whether a platform is licensed by PAGCOR should be your top priority. As demonstrated through the example of BingoPlus, legitimate casinos are transparent about their regulatory status and make it easy for users to confirm their legitimacy. By visiting PAGCOR’s official website and verifying the operator’s name, platform brand, and registered domain, you can protect yourself from potential scams and ensure that you are playing in a secure and legal environment.
Choosing an online casino based solely on promotional offers or flashy designs can be risky. Legitimacy should always come before convenience or curiosity. Making license verification your first step is the most effective way to safeguard your funds, your identity, and your overall gaming experience.
If a casino is truly legitimate, it will have nothing to hide. And if it isn’t listed with PAGCOR, it’s not worth the risk.