Anyone can put “licensed” on a website. Here is how to check the claim yourself, in about five minutes, using only official Philippine government sources.

For land-based poker clubs

  1. Go to the PAGCOR regulatory site — pagcor.ph, then the Regulatory section → Poker Clubs.
  2. Download the List of Poker Operators with Issued Gaming License. This PDF lists every licensed poker club and its license status.
  3. Match the exact legal name. Clubs sometimes trade under a brand name different from their licensed entity. Match the address too.
  4. Check the list date. A license valid in 2024 may have lapsed. The list shows its issue date — treat older entries as “needs confirmation” and call the club.
  5. Call before traveling. Confirm the club is open and running the game you want.

For online poker platforms

  1. Look for PAGCOR accreditation, not just “registration.” A company registered with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) is not automatically licensed to offer gambling.
  2. Use PAGCOR’s online verification service at pagcor.ph to check whether the platform’s brand appears among accredited operators.
  3. Check the domain carefully. Unlicensed operators clone legitimate brand names with slightly different spellings or new domains. Match character by character.
  4. Check the payment flow. Licensed operators collect payments through regulated channels. If a site asks you to send money to a personal GCash/Maya number or bank account, walk away.
  5. Confirm the 21+ check. Licensed operators verify your age and identity (KYC). A site that skips KYC is skipping regulation.

Red flags

  • No physical address, or an address that does not match any PAGCOR record
  • “Licensed in Curacao / Malta / offshore” — for serving players inside the Philippines, the relevant regulator is PAGCOR
  • Welcome bonuses that require deposits to personal e-wallets
  • No responsible gaming information or player exclusion links
What if I already played on an unlicensed site?
Stop depositing. You have no regulator to appeal to if funds are withheld. If you believe you were scammed, you can report to the Philippine National Police cybercrime units or the NBI cybercrime division.

Last verified against official sources: October 10, 2026. General information, not legal advice.