PAGCOR - The Governing Body for Casinos

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the Philippines’ governing body for casinos. It licenses and regulates both land-based and online casino operators in the country. It has been in operation for over thirty years, and its main purpose is to generate revenue for the government through taxes, as well as to fund social community projects.

PAGCOR aims to promote responsible gambling through its Code of Practice for Responsible Gaming which requires casinos and other authorized gaming establishments to implement various measures including training of employees, limited access, probity, and advertising guidelines. It also monitors licensed casino websites to ensure that they are operating in a safe and legal manner.

As part of its mission, PAGCOR has a strict policy of not accepting players under the age of 21. It will shut down any licensed gaming establishment found to have allowed underage players to enter.

Despite these regulations, many people still play games of chance and enjoy the social aspects of playing casino slots in the Philippines. This is because gambling can be an effective form of entertainment and can provide a sense of satisfaction to the players. However, it is essential to note that a majority of online casino operators in the Philippines are not officially licensed and are therefore unregulated pagcor licensed sportsbook.

Although there are many reasons to choose an online casino with a license, some of the main advantages include safety and security. A reputable casino will have the backing of the Philippines’ government and this will give players peace of mind while they are playing.

Additionally, a casino that is regulated by PAGCOR will be subject to strict regulations and will only offer a high-quality service and products to its customers. This is because the agency will take into account factors such as their financial stability, customer service, and the quality of the games they offer.

PAGCOR aims to make the Philippines the leading gaming and entertainment destination in Southeast Asia, with revenues that fund nation-building programs. It is also a prime mover in the country’s tourism industry.

The agency is based in Manila and oversees casinos, gaming satellites, and online casinos around the country. In 2017, its gross income reached P60 billion, which was largely due to the growth of the online gambling market.

It is a 100% government-owned corporation under the Office of the President and is mandated to generate revenue for the government’s socio-civic programs, operate and license games of chance in the country, and help boost the tourism industry. The revenue earned by PAGCOR is distributed between the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as a franchise tax, and cities that have PAGCOR-licensed casinos for community development projects.

As part of its mission, the corporation also aims to provide aid to poor Filipino families through its Serbisyo Muna Caravan program. This program uses the money that is generated through casino betting to provide medical, legal and socio-economic assistance to low-income families.

Currently, the agency has eight Casino Filipino (CF) branches and 36 gaming satellites across the Philippines. Each of these has a fixed amount given to the city that hosts it for local community projects.