Manila — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced a major regulatory shift that will reshape the country’s online gaming landscape. Starting this month, all iGaming service providers — including content studios, affiliates, and support service operators — must secure official accreditation from PAGCOR before March 31, 2026, or risk being barred from operating within the jurisdiction.
The new framework, released by PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD), mandates that all Gaming Content Providers (GCPs), Gaming Affiliates, and Support Service Providers (SSPs) undergo accreditation to continue working with licensed operators. Companies that apply before December 31, 2025, will receive an initial three-year accreditation, renewable upon compliance review.
Under the new rules, accredited providers must meet strict standards on corporate governance, game integrity, player protection, and data security. Operators found collaborating with non-accredited vendors will face regulatory sanctions, including suspension or license revocation.
“The goal is to ensure accountability and transparency across the iGaming ecosystem,” PAGCOR stated in its official memorandum. “Accreditation will protect both operators and players by guaranteeing that every link in the gaming value chain is verifiable, compliant, and trustworthy.”
Analysts see the move as part of PAGCOR’s broader strategy to professionalize and modernize the Philippine gaming sector. The country’s gaming industry generated PHP 28 billion (≈ US $503 million) in the first quarter of 2025, up 11.2% year-on-year, driven largely by the growth of licensed online operations. However, the regulator has been under increasing pressure to curb unauthorized offshore activity and improve traceability in digital gaming transactions.
The transition period gives both local and international vendors time to adjust, but the message is clear: PAGCOR is tightening oversight as it prepares to compete regionally with hubs like Malta and Curaçao. The new accreditation model marks a turning point for the Philippines — from permissive licensing to structured compliance — signaling that the era of loosely regulated iGaming is coming to an end.
