The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is preparing new rules that would require casinos and betting operators to maintain direct relationships with their payment providers, eliminating intermediary structures used to conceal the true destination of funds, after identifying and shutting down more than 8,000 merchant accounts linked to illegal online casinos.
The investigation found accounts registered under businesses apparently unrelated to gambling, including bakeries, beauty salons and small merchants, that were used to receive deposits starting at just PHP50, around US$0.80, including transactions made outside normal business hours.
The reform would amend the Manual of Regulations for Payment Systems and require payment service providers, banks, digital banks, e-wallets and acquirers to verify the identity, beneficial owners, licenses, settlement accounts and actual business activity of each merchant. The BSP also plans to prohibit layered arrangements between payment processors and gaming operators. As of September 2026, the BSP is led by Eli M. Remolona Jr., Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board, while Mamerto E. Tangonan serves as Deputy Governor of the Payments and Currency Management Sector.
Wilma T. Eisma
The measure is being coordinated with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), headed by Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman & CEO, and Wilma T. Eisma, President & COO. PAGCOR maintains a moratorium on new online licenses, with around 48 authorized operators currently in the market.
Current rates include 30% of GGR for eCasino, 15% for live sports betting, 30% for virtual sports, 25% for eBingo and 20% for traditional bingo. The crackdown is also supported by AML controls coordinated with the Anti-Money Laundering Council, while payment providers may face sanctions, suspension or loss of authorization if they repeatedly allow illicit activity. From October 2026, Gaming System Administrators with eCasino operations must also pay a Monthly Minimum Guaranteed Fee of PHP10.5 million, subject to a minimum GGR of PHP35 million.
