Philippines Tighten Player Requirements and Ad Rules for iGaming Sites

The Philippines are moving to tighten control over online gambling — and this time the changes start directly with players. During a Senate hearing on the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) outlined new safeguards that will affect anyone opening an account on licensed iGaming sites. The core idea is simple: no deposit without full identity verification.

No Deposit Without ID and Selfie

Under the updated requirements, users will have to submit their full name, contact details, a valid government ID and a current selfie holding that document — before they can fund an account.

This shifts verification to the very beginning of the customer journey. Instead of allowing players to deposit first and complete checks later, operators must now confirm identity upfront.

PAGCOR representatives indicated that the revised procedure is intended to address identity fraud, limit the use of misappropriated personal data and reduce cases where one individual operates several accounts under different identities. Lawmakers have also tied the change to concerns about underage access through shared household devices.

Under the updated framework, players must complete full identity verification before making a first deposit and accessing real-money games.

Why the Numbers Raised Questions

At the same hearing, PAGCOR disclosed that licensed iGaming sites in the country count around 10 million active users. Yet the total number of registered accounts stands at roughly 32 million.

The difference, officials explained, is largely due to individuals creating more than one account.

By forcing full identity checks before the first deposit, authorities hope to narrow that gap and tie each account to verified personal data.

Advertising Rules Could Tighten Further

The hearing also addressed gambling ads on traditional media. At present, commercials cannot air on television or radio between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., but they are still allowed during the remaining hours of the day. Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned that approach, arguing that daytime programming continues to reach students and family audiences, so the restriction is only partial.

PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco told senators that broadcasters have been pushing to retain those off-peak slots because they rely on the revenue. He confirmed that a stricter option is now under review — including the possibility of removing gambling ads from TV and radio altogether in coordination with the Advertising Standards Council.

From Ad Limits to Player Checks

In 2025, regulators concentrated on tightening advertising standards. The latest changes move beyond marketing and deal directly with player access, placing stricter conditions on registration and deposits.

If adopted in full, the new framework would mark a notable shift: stricter identity checks before money changes hands, closer monitoring of marketing exposure, and a stronger push to limit duplicate accounts.

For Filipino players, that means fewer shortcuts — and a system designed to make anonymity much harder from the outset.

Earlier, we reported that the latest regulatory changes in the Philippines could also trigger market consolidation, with mergers seen as a likely response to tighter rules.