State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said Wednesday it will grant offshore gaming licenses to operators who will engage in online gaming activities.
Pagcor said in a statement an offshore gaming license might be granted to a Philippine-based operator or an off-shore based operator organized in any foreign country who will engage the services of a Pagcor-accredited service/support provider for online gaming activity.
Pagcor said these gaming-operators would be referred to as Philippine offshore gaming operators.
The regulator said an application fee for the gaming licenses amounted to $50,000 for e-casino and $40,000 for sports betting.
It said upon approval of the license, the applicant would pay $200,000 for an e-casino license and $150,000 for a sports betting license. Pagcor said it was already accepting letters of intent from applicants.
Offshore gaming is conducted via Internet using a network and software to be offered exclusively to offshore authorized players who have registered and established an online gaming account with the licensee.
Pagcor said authorized players of these offshore gaming offerings must be foreigners based in another country.
Foreign nationals who are staying in the Philippines and Filipinos residing abroad are not allowed to take part in the online gaming activity.
Individuals who are under 21 years old are not allowed to play.
Pagcor said it would form “Task Force Pogo” to conduct surveillance, monitor activities and report violations committed by Philippine offshore gaming operators.
The monitoring task force will be composed of key personnel from Pagcor, National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration.
“Pagcor is strongly committed to carrying out its mandate, that of strictly monitoring and regulating all games of chance in the country that fall within the ambit of its charter,” Pagcor said.