PAGCOR to Launch App to Protect Players from Illegal Gaming Sites

The Scale of the Digital Black Market

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco officially announced the initiative on August 24, 2026, during the agency's budget briefing. 

According to Tengco, around 50% of the online gaming sites accessed in the Philippines operate illegally. PAGCOR wants the app to direct users towards operators covered by its regulatory requirements and player safeguards.

PAGCOR is also working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center to find illegal gaming sites and have internet providers block them. The agencies are also taking action against the operators and payment channels behind these sites.

Verification and Player Protection

The app will make it easier to identify gaming sites licensed and regulated by PAGCOR. Players who use licensed operators also have an established process for seeking redress when disputes arise.

PAGCOR has not yet published detailed information about the app’s functions. In particular, it has not confirmed that users will be able to report sites, submit complaints or trigger domain and payment blocking through the app.

The project builds on the PAGCOR Guarantee website launched in 2025. That service already allows users to search for authorized online gaming websites before visiting them or making a payment.