The Philippine gaming regulator, Pagcor, has stopped issuing licenses to online gambling firms, and lawmakers and some ministers have called for tighter controls on Chinese visitors, saying many are illegal workers whose presence raises security concerns. Pagcor chair and CEO Andrea Domingo said law enforcers would be stationed at the planned. RAN Online is the no. 1 campus-themed MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) in the Philippines. The concept is based around several schools competing for control. RAN World (Global Service) publisher - Min Communications decided to shutdown the game on August 12, 2019, ending its 10 years of international operations.
Our previous article about the impending legalization or allowance of online gambling at domestic Philippine casinos asked the following headlining question:
“Is The Philippines Government All In On Legal Online Casinos?”
The answer, as expected, is “Yes!”
On November 2, in an innocuous text message to Bloomberg, PAGCOR president Alfredo Lim confirmed that the state would be allowing select operators in Entertainment City to offer various casino games online.
This comes on the heels of a catastrophic second quarter for the Philippines brick-and-mortar gambling sector, where the nation’s integrated resort casinos lost nearly 96 percent of revenues year-over-year.
These venues took in 46.8 million USD for Q2 2020, compared to 2019’s Q2 total of 1.08 billion USD.
This alone was enough to give the government – historically antagonistic to the idea of online gambling – enough motivation to legalize the pastime.
However, there is a caveat.
Or three.
First, these iGaming experiences will only be offered – at least initially – by select Entertainment City venues.
The Solaire Resort and Casino is the first (and currently only) gambling operator to be awarded credentialed authorization, while the City of Dreams Manila and Okada Manila IRs have their applications pending with PAGCOR.
Secondly, according to previous reporting, the options for gambling online will be available only to “known patrons” of these casinos.
These “known patrons” are individuals who have been previously registered with the gambling houses in question and have proved an annual income of roughly 1000 USD.
This promises to limit participation significantly, and it remains to be seen what kind of difference it will make for these casinos’ bottom lines.
Of course, for the vast majority of Filipinos who cannot meet such requirements, legal online casino gambling remains possible by using offshore providers like BetOnline, Intertops, and other popular services.
Philippine gambling law does not make it a crime to gamble with non-domestic operators over the Internet, and these sites accept all 18 and up Filipino gamblers regardless of income or financial status.
Additionally, these sites are all conveniently accessible via network-connected computers, iPhones, iPads, Androids, and other devices, allowing for mobile casino betting from anywhere in the islands.
The legalization of domestic iGaming in the Philippines should have very little impact on offshore options, and this move does not criminalize or deter in any way regular access to these sites.
Finally, this move might only be temporary, and probably is.
There are whisperings that this measure is in place strictly and solely as a stopgap – that the online gambling provisions will be eliminated once Metro Manila casinos are all finally able to be up and running at capacity post-COVID-19.
Per Richard Lanela of COL Financial Group, this simply allows the casino district to
“…survive and get through the pandemic until they are allowed by government to fully operate. This is a way for them to earn some revenue.”
Of course, the arrangement should also be viewed as a field test or “dry run” regarding how a future series of domestic online gambling laws could be implemented, what technological and societal safeguards can be effectively deployed, and other considerations.
After all, the country is moving towards the legalization and regulation of e-Sabong betting in the near future, which itself is being viewed as a potential gateway to legal online Philippines sports betting in general.
Regardless of the Philippine government’s plans for state-based online casinos in the coming months and years, this is an important step in the right direction for future-proofing an industry that serves, in many ways, as the developmental lifeblood of Metro Manila and its many down-market economies.
Here’s hoping that this isn’t just a bluff in the grand scheme and that Philippines legislators truly do go “all in” on state-regulated online gambling options for their tens of millions of avid Filipino players.
Source: Casino.org, Gambling News
Online poker is incredibly popular worldwide. The game attracts casual fans, industry insiders, avid players and more throughout the year thanks to major international land-based and online tournaments/gameplay.
Filipino residents have access to legal online poker in the Philippines through sanctioned offshore gambling sites. These offshore poker sites feature multiple game types in both single-game and tournament formats. The country has been known to host tournaments via PokerStars and other well-known poker enterprises.
Poker bonuses reward players for their online activity and players can experience a high-quality streamlined poker environment. If you have ever been interested in legal online poker options in the Philippines, look no further than licensed offshore poker brands. Our team of online gambling professionals developed this page specifically for residents looking for legitimate online poker action. We have created similar guides for legal Philippines online sportsbooks and Phillipines online casinos.
Best Online Poker Site For Filipino Players
BetOnline.ag - 100% Match Bonus Up To $2500
BetOnline was one of the first brands to launch an online gambling initiative, and they have since become one of the most trusted and reputable destinations online for poker players all around the world. They offer a 100% match bonus up to $2500 for new players, and a 25% match bonus up to $1000 on every single subsequent deposit for the life of your account.
Their poker room is very active, with a healthy range of competition, buy in levels, game selection and promotions. You'll find an active tournament schedule. Their compliance certified poker software solution is provided by Connective Games and delivers a reliable, high quality gaming experience through a feature rich interface and user friendly lobby.
Best Online Poker Sites
For Philippine Players
| Site Name | Bonus Offer | Accepts Filipinos? | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Max $2500 | Review | ||
| 100% Max $2500 | Review | ||
| 200% Max $1000 | Review |
Is Online Poker Legal For Players in the Philippines?
Yes, but only through licensed offshore gambling providers. Philippine gambling laws restrict locally based gambling operators from offering their services to residents, leaving licensed offshore poker destinations as the only legal option. Our research has not found any cases of Philippine players being arrested or prosecuted for playing poker online via offshore sites.
Which Poker Games Are Available Online?
Casino Filipino Cebu
Players have access to multiple game types, including Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Studs Poker, HORSE, Caribbean Stud and others. The game menu will vary from site to site. You can find tournament play in most game forms. Free play mode is applicable for some games and allows players to familiarize themselves with games before wagering any real money.
It also provides them the opportunity to test out new game strategies. Online there are many options, to learn more about legal gambling options in Manila City or Metro Manila check out our gambling by region section.
Is Land-Based Poker Legal In The Philippines?
Yes. There are several major land-based casinos that offer poker games in the Philippines. Some of these are regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and others are handled by outside enterprises. In fact, PAGCOR is trying to sell off some of their casino assets, but that is another discussion. The following are some of the more well-known casinos:
- City of Dreams Manila
- PAGCOR Angeles
- Resorts World Manila
- Midas Hotel and Casino
- Okada Manila
Philippines Poker Tournaments
For world travelers in the islands, Macau poker tournaments or poker tournaments in Las Vegas might be an option. However, for the majority of PH residents, that’s not going to be the case. Even getting to poker tournaments in Manila at a PAGCOR-licensed venue (like the Okada Manila poker room) can often be too much of an inconvenience to offer real sustained play. But online poker tournaments – that’s a different story!
You can play for real money online in a variety of ways. But cash tables and Sit ‘N’ Go events are the minor leagues. Tournament poker is what it’s all about, and in the islands, the biggest tourneys are online at the offshore poker rooms mentioned here. With hundreds – if not thousands – of players buying in to new tournaments every day, you can play your hand and win each table on your way to major six-figure payouts!
Philippines Mobile Poker
All of the best online poker rooms at the top offshore Philippines gambling sites offer full mobile compatibility. In fact, mobile poker is the most popular way to play, as nearly everyone in the nation has a smartphone or tablet that can access these legal Internet poker rooms and every game and tournament type they offer.
That said, you won’t find iPhone poker apps in the App Store or Android poker apps in the Google Play store, because those companies’ policies don’t allow offshore gambling products in the Philippines market.
Fortunately, the web app experiences that our recommended poker sites give you are all totally streamlined, allow quick tap-and-swipe play, and require no downloads or updates. Plus, with state-of-the-art Internet encryption standards, there’s also no safer way to play online poker than through these reputable sites’ mobile interfaces.
In-Person Poker Rooms vs. Online Poker In The Philippines
The Philippines has a bustling gambling market, both through commercial means and via the underground. In both cases, you’ll get a real poker experience playing face-to-face against other gamblers.
However, both of these options have issues. For commercial PAGCOR poker, you need to be near Metro Manila and be able to make the trip to a brick-and-mortar casino anytime you want to play a few hands. And private house games or black-market poker in the Philippines just aren’t worth the legal and physical dangers involved.
If you play online, however, you won’t run into legal or interpersonal problems of any sort. Yes, the online game does sacrifice a few interesting aspects of poker, namely the fabled “poker face.” Because you can’t look your opponents in the eye when playing over the Internet at a digital poker table, the bluffing element is removed. But this is a good thing for new players and novice real-money players. Additionally, online play removes bit of the luster of the real game, inasmuch as you can’t actually rake in the poker chips when you win a big pot while grinning at every loser scratching the felts.
But the benefits far outweigh these small issues. You can play online poker in the Philippines at any time, no matter where you are, which is convenience unmatched by any other method. And frankly, the payouts are better online, too. Finally, online play lets you easily consult charts showing you the basic poker rules, the best poker hands, poker card rankings, and more, giving you a real edge.
What Is Zynga Poker?
Zynga is a social app developer that makes games for iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Facebook. While Zynga Poker is the most popular free-to-play poker app in the Philippines, you cannot win real money by playing. Ironically, however, it costs real money to play!
You can win free coins in Zynga Poker, but these are only good for playing more poker. There are no payouts and no monetary prizes of any kind. And worst of all, there are Zynga Poker cheat hacks that many players use, none of which is possible at real-money offshore Philippines poker sites.
Casino Filipino Online Games Philippines Lottery
As a way to learn the game, Zynga’s “poker room” might be fun, but it’s more expensive than simply signing up at an offshore poker room, making a small deposit, and playing minimum ante, small-pot events. Why waste money on winning Zynga Poker free chips when you can spend the same amount (or less!) and win real money online?
FAQs About Philippines Online Poker
Why Offshore Poker?
Poker through offshore gambling sites has several benefits, one of which being the convenience of online access. For residents without any brick-and-mortar casinos nearby, it can be difficult to find legitimate poker action. Offshore gambling sites provide poker gameplay to all Filipinos with Internet access.
There also tends to be more variance with game types and the number of games available. Some online poker brands allow users to play multiple hands at once, increasing their rate of play and potential winnings. Perhaps the best advantage to offshore players is bonus incentives.
Casino Filipino Online Games Philippines Today
Poker bonuses are rewards in the form of free money given to active players (more on this in a later section). The key takeaway is that our recommended offshore poker sites create a better gambling experience than sitting at a physical table game.
How Does Online Poker Work Through Offshore Sites?
Most reputable offshore poker sites feature games through a downloadable software. In some cases, there are options to play online via a Flash player, but it is not uncommon for players to download a supplementary software.
Offshore poker suites are designed by leading online gambling software providers and feature beautiful renderings of digital tables and streamlined gameplay. Players can easily toggle between game types and free play/real money gambling via the navbar.
You can even adjust your filter settings to only search for games based on table size, pot limit, game type, etc. The online poker suites provide accommodations for all types of players. There are Sit ‘N’ Go games and more involved tournaments available.
How Do Poker Bonuses Work?
Online poker bonuses are different than ones found in offshore sportsbooks or casinos, mainly because they are offered incrementally as opposed to all at once. There are often VIP tier levels in place that award comp points per hand.
Comp points are a sort of loyalty system that helps track player activity and rewards players based on which level they are at. The one important factor to pay attention to regarding poker bonuses is their playthrough requirement—or how much a player is required to accrue in bets before being eligible for a withdrawal.
Casino Filipino Online Games Philippines Website
Information on playthrough requirements, as well as all other components of a specific bonus, can be found within the respective bonus’ terms and conditions.
What Deposit Options Are Available On Offshore Poker Sites?
Offshore poker sites typically host a variety of Philippines friendly deposit methods to accommodate their international audience. Our suggested brands feature the following:
- Credit/debit cards
- Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Dash, Litecoin, Ethereum)
- Wire transfers
- Cashier’s cheques
- e-Wallets
- Prepaid options
Each method comes with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on how you look at it. You can gamble using PHP through any of these methods. More information can be found on our deposits page. Processing times vary per method (cryptocurrencies are the fastest) and additional fees may incur.
Casino Filipino Online Games Philippines Free
Offshore poker sites recommend the use of cryptocurrencies to avoid long processing times and fees applied to your deposits/withdrawals. Consider e-Wallets (like Skrill or Neteller), cryptocurrencies or prepaid options if you are looking for more anonymous methods.
Do You Pay Taxes On Poker Winnings In The Philippines?
This is up to you, but by Philippine law, you are required to report your gambling earnings when you disclose your income every tax season. Offshore poker rooms and gambling sites are not tax shelters!
Though these sites will not report your winnings to local Philippine tax authorities, you should always pay your taxes in full and on time. After all, what’s the point of winning that big poker jackpot if the government’s just going to take it all away because they didn’t get their cut?