About this site
Responsible gambling in the Philippines
Who may gamble, the warning signs, and how PAGCOR's self-exclusion and family exclusion work, with the helpline and support contacts PAGCOR publishes.
Gambling in the Philippines is only for people aged 21 and over, and every peso you stake can be lost. If playing has stopped being entertainment, the fastest route to help is PAGCOR’s free 24/7 helpline at (02) 8248-9568. PAGCOR can also bar you, at your own request or at the request of a close family member, from every gaming site it licenses and operates. This page explains how those options work, based on PAGCOR’s published rules.
Who is not allowed to gamble
PAGCOR’s responsible gaming page lists the people who may not enter, stay in or play at licensed gaming sites, under the PAGCOR Charter as amended and a 2016 Malacañang memorandum circular:
- anyone under 21 years of age;
- government officials and employees connected directly with the operation of the government or its agencies;
- members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police;
- people included in the National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP), which is where excluded players are recorded;
- holders of a Gaming Employment License.
An online site checks your age and identity during registration (KYC). If a site lets you play without asking for proof of age, treat that as a warning sign about the site itself.
Signs that gambling is becoming a problem
PAGCOR describes several warning signs. Any one of them is reason enough to pause and talk to someone:
- betting more money, or for longer, than you planned;
- trying again and again to win back what you lost (“chasing”);
- debt, unpaid bills or other money trouble because of gambling;
- borrowing, selling belongings or taking money to keep playing;
- thinking about gambling all the time, or feeling hopeless or depressed because of it;
- arguments and damaged relationships at home because of gambling.
The habits PAGCOR recommends are simple: play only for entertainment, treat money you lose as the cost of that entertainment, set a time and money limit before you start, never borrow to gamble, and never chase losses. PAGCOR says licensed operators are now required to integrate responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion and betting limits; look in your account settings for the limits your site offers, and set them before your first deposit.
Gambling is not a way to pay off debt. If you are gambling to recover losses or to cover bills, stop and call (02) 8248-9568. PAGCOR has also prohibited credit cards and cryptocurrencies for betting, citing the risk of over-borrowing and impulsive play.
How self-exclusion works
Self-exclusion (PAGCOR also calls it “banning”) is for anyone who feels they are developing a problem with gambling. You choose the period: 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. The first six months cannot be cancelled once the order starts; after the chosen period ends, the exclusion is lifted automatically. PAGCOR states that an exclusion is implemented across all sites licensed and operated by PAGCOR.
PAGCOR’s responsible gaming page describes an online route:
- Open the Self-Exclusion Application PortalPAGCOR links to it from its responsible gaming page. Start from that page so you land on the official portal and not a copy.
- Upload a government-issued IDAn image of a valid government photo ID is required.
- Take a selfie in the applicationThe portal asks for a photograph taken through the online application itself.
- Choose the period and submitPick 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, remembering that the first six months cannot be undone.
PAGCOR’s player exclusion page also describes a paper application: the self-exclusion form, a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID and two recent 2×2 colour photos, sent by email to [email protected] or left at PAGCOR’s drop box at MET Live Building, Central Business Park 1-A, Macapagal Blvd. corner EDSA Extension, Pasay City. If you do not apply in person, PAGCOR may ask for a selfie or a video call to confirm it is you.
Family exclusion: when someone you love needs help
A spouse, parent or child (at least 18 years old) can apply to have a family member excluded. The periods and paperwork differ from self-exclusion:
| Point | Self-exclusion | Family exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | The player | Spouse, parent, or child aged 18+ |
| Periods | 6 months, 1 year or 5 years | 6 months, 1 year or 3 years |
| Cancelling early | Not possible in the first six months | Not addressed on PAGCOR’s page; the order lifts automatically when the period ends |
| Main documents | Government-issued photo ID and a photo or selfie | Form, IDs of both applicant and player, two 2×2 photos of the player, plus a birth certificate (parent or child) or marriage certificate (spouse) |
The family exclusion form is linked from PAGCOR’s player exclusion page, together with the full list of requirements.
Where to get help
PAGCOR’s helpline and email are the first contact. PAGCOR also lists accredited help centres and support groups; the details below are as published on its exclusion page:
| Organisation | Contact |
|---|---|
| PAGCOR Responsible Gaming | (02) 8248-9568, 24/7; [email protected] |
| Bridges of Hope Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Foundation (Parañaque City, branches nationwide) | (02) 622-0193 or 0917 509 8826; bridgesofhope.com.ph |
| Life Change Recovery Center (Quezon City) | (02) 415-7964 or (02) 415-6529; lifechangerecovery.com |
| Milestone Health and Wellness Center (Baguio City) | 0919 000 9188; milestonehealthcenter.com |
| Gamblers Anonymous Philippines | 0915 938 2808; gaphilippines.com |
| Gam-Anon Philippines (for family and friends) | gam-anonphilippines.org |
What we do on this site
Every page carries the 21+ notice and the PAGCOR helpline. We only write about sites whose exact domain appears in PAGCOR’s records, we do not suggest credit cards or cryptocurrency as ways to fund an account, and we avoid language that presents gambling as income or as a way to win back losses. The full rules are in how we review. If anything on the site falls short of this, we want to fix it.