Legal Sports Betting In The Philippines

Legal Philippines sports betting took off and is one of the best experiences in the world. With both retail and online sportsbooks, bettors in the Philippines are spoiled. While peer-to-peer betting is illegal, regulated establishments offer full-service legal sports betting. Perfect for its status as a tourist destination, tourists can even bet on sports in the Cagayan region.

The Philippines Sports Betting Markets

The most popular sports for Filipino bettors are basketball and soccer. But sportsbooks that accept players from the Philippines offer odds on major sports. Boxing reigned supreme when Manny Pacquiao was dominating the sport. But, betting the Philippine Basketball Association odds is extremely popular.

The Philippines Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is legal and regulated in the Philippines. There are three kinds of sportsbooks, based on location.

• Sportsbooks that accept all Filipino Players: The easiest type of sportsbooks in the Philippines to sign up for. Based internationally, these sports betting sites (BetOnline and SportsBetting), follow rules based in other countries. So, they are not subject to the sports betting laws of the Philippines.
• Sportsbooks that accept non-Cagayan-Freeport Area Players: Available to players in the Philippines that are not located in the Cagayan-Freeport area. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) governs much of the sports betting.
• Sportsbooks that accept players from the Cagayan-Freeport Area: Players in the Cagayan-Freeport area must choose sportsbooks. Options include the First Cagayan Resort and Leisure Corporation (FCRLC). Under the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), operations has occurred since 2003.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The Philippines?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in the Philippines. Filipino bettors are serviced both by domestic online PAGCOR sportsbooks as well as international online sportsbooks licensed in the UK, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. Outside of the Cagayan region, where all gambling is prohibited except for foreign tourists, you can freely bet online from anywhere in the country. Filipino bettors have access to a wide array of legal online sports betting activities, including live betting, parlays, single-game wagering, and much more. The government in the Philippines is in something of a state of flux right now, so these laws are subject to change rapidly.

Philippines Info
Status:	Legal
Retail:	Yes
Online:	Yes
Min Age:	18
Restrictions:	No Restrictions
Popular Sports:	Soccer, basketball, and boxing

Where Philippines Sports Betting Revenue Goes

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is responsible for running many of the most popular casinos and online sportsbooks in the country and is responsible for licensing and regulating the others. Revenue from sports betting goes partially toward covering regulatory expenses. Most of the money goes toward the National Treasury and the Philippine Sports Commission. The National Treasury funds many social programs, infrastructure improvements, and much more throughout the country. The Philippine Sports Commission is the governing body responsible for regulating all Philippine sports.

How Does Currency Exchange Work With Philippines Sportsbooks?

Most online sportsbooks offer deposits and withdrawals through multiple different currencies, including British pounds, U.S. dollars, euros, and other major international currencies. If you deposit into a sportsbook with Bitcoin (or withdrawal), it will be automatically converted into the currency of your choice.

Is There Esports Betting In The Philippines?

Esports betting in the Philippines is possible. The best esports betting sites will have odds on Dota 2, LoL, CoD, Rocket League, and many other smaller games.

Countries With Legal Sports Betting

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Ghana
• India
• Kenya
• Mexico
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Peru
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Russia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• United Kingdom

Legal Sports Betting In The Philippines FAQs

Why are so many sportsbooks based in The Philippines?

The Philippines has much looser sports betting laws than other countries. This makes them an attractive location for sports betting operators and players.

Can you bet on sports in every province in The Philippines?

No, you can’t bet on sports in every province in the Philippines if you are a Filipino resident. The Cagayan region is off-limits for Filipino bettors, and sportsbooks there are exclusively reserved for foreign tourists. In every other province, however, it is fully legal to bet on sports whether you are a tourist or a resident.

Are tourists allowed to bet in The Philippines?

Yes, tourists can bet in all regions in the Philippines.

Why doesn’t The Philippines have casino sports betting?

PAGCOR Chairwoman Andrea Domingo has gone on the record in the past saying that the Philippines “doesn’t want to overburden the industry by blatantly giving out licenses.” Casino sports betting would significantly increase the regulatory cost of sports betting.