Senate President Francis Escudero has called for a review of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGO) licensing system to determine whether the industry is worth continuing.
Escudero believes that PIGOs have gone unnoticed due to the recent concerns of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) licensing system, which was banned entirely in January 2025. He expressed his concerns that the domestic online casino industry offers the same wagering games to Philippine locals.
The Senate President stated, “We should review this because the ill effects that we want to avoid are most likely present in PIGOS, which affect only Filipinos and not foreigners.”
Escudero also shared that the government should consider banning PIGOs, as he believes former POGO operators are likely hiding behind PIGOs.
Philippine Inland Gaming Operations
The PIGO’s licensing system started in 2018 to regulate and promote the gaming industry in the Philippines. This licensing system, offered by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), authorizes businesses inside the Philippines to provide casinos with sports and other forms of gambling online to players of legal age in the country.
However, some stipulations include that PIGO games must be connected to a physical gaming machine instead of server-based random generators often found in other online casinos. Last year, PAGCOR confirmed that 44 PIGO operators were currently operating in the country.
Offshore Casinos In The Philippines
Online casinos in the Philippines from outside the country have been operating in the country since the early 1990s. For most Filipinos, offshore casino sites offer the most value with bigger signup bonuses, extensive rewards programs, and the inclusion of digital assets such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and more.
Since many Filipino locals cannot visit one of the Manila casinos regularly, online casino sources have become increasingly convenient for many players. Popular online casino games include blackjack betting, slots, roulette, baccarat, Super6, video poker, and live dealer games.
While PAGCOR does not regulate offshore casinos, Filipino players are advised to play only on licensed sites, which offer player protections, including security and compliance regulations.
The significant advantage of playing PIGOs compared to offshore casinos is the inclusion of the Philippine Peso (PHP). However, you can easily convert the PHP to USD or digital assets with a few clicks on a currency or digital asset exchange. Players who make casino deposits with Bitcoin and other digital assets can often take advantage of even bigger bonuses and avoid processing fees associated with online deposits.