Philippines Casino and Card Room Gaming

The Philippines has numerous casinos across the islands. They are regulated by the government-owned and -controlled Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), established in 1976. PAGCOR licenses land-based and online gambling, collects relevant taxes and enforces legislation on illegal gaming operations.

In June 2007, the House of Representatives passed a bill that granted PAGCOR another 25 years to operate casinos and other forms of gambling in the country.

The new Entertainment City project is bringing a host of new operators to the Philippines. It is intended to be a major entertainment and gambling hub, on par with Las Vegas and Macau, and will include four casinos from international operators. The first casino, Solaire Hotel and Casino, opened in 2013. Melco Crown's City of Dreams Manila opened in early 2015. Two others are expected to open in 2016.

In March 2016, officials with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) expressed their desire to subject casinos to reportorial requirements required of financial institutions under the Anti-Money Laundering Law. PAGCOR opposes the implementation of reporting requirements.

In March 2017, the Philippine government put a freeze on issuance of new casino licenses for the next five years due to fears of over saturating the market.