Soccer is one of the Philippine’s most popular sports, and soccer betting goes right along with it. Residents can wager on domestic and international games from outside leagues at online Philippine sportsbooks. There is also the national team, which may not have any official FIFA ranking, but it is still a proud part of the nation’s football offerings. This page was developed specifically for Philippine residents and has information on domestic/international football and football betting. Be sure to educate yourself on the local gambling laws and how licensed offshore sportsbooks provide an alternative sports gambling experience.
Is Betting On Soccer Legal In The Philippines?
Yes. Filipino residents have several options when it comes to sports gambling. PAGCOR, or the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, has over 20 licensed brick-and-mortar betting shops in the Metro Manila area. Metro Manila is the hotbed of all gambling activity in the country. Residents can also find betting outlets in PAGCOR casinos in areas like Pavilion, Heritage, Angeles, and Paranaque.
MegaSportsWorld is a domestic betting service. It is the largest sports gambling network operating legally within the country. Residents may place soccer wagers through MSW, though online access is limited to those deemed to be "VIP" players and who are aged 21 and up.
An alternative and also legally sanctioned option is through licensed offshore sportsbooks. These types of sites host football betting lines from popular international leagues like La Liga, Bundisliga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the English Premier League. Betting lines are held for international tournaments like the World Cup, Euros, Olympics, and Copa America. Licensed offshore sportsbooks are technically legal in the eyes of Philippines law and the government does not impose any enforcement on residents using these sites.
Top Sports Betting Sites For Betting On Soccer In The Philippines
Our team of online sports gambling analysts has pinpointed the best available offshore sportsbooks accepting Filipino residents. These sites have numerous soccer betting options available, including mobile and live wagering capabilities. We screen each potential brand recommendation for legal licensing, regulation, betting line selection, wagering type variance, security features, customer support options and promotional bonuses. Each of the brands listed in the table below has passed our inspection and possesses the aforementioned qualities. You can navigate to these sites through the links provided in the table below. There is no obligation to make an account or place a single wager.
Site Name | Bonus Offer | Age | Accepts Filipinos? | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
50% Max $1,000 | 18+ | Visit Site Review | ||
Up To 7 BTC | 18+ | Visit Site Review | ||
50% Max $1,000 | 21+ | Visit Site Review | ||
50% Max $1,000 | 18+ | Visit Site Review | ||
100% Max $500 | 21+ | Visit Site Review |
Philippines National Football Team
The Philippines national men’s soccer team is a part of the Philippine Football Federation. Otherwise known as the Azkals, which translates to “street dogs,” the national team is one of the oldest in Asia. The team’s beginnings trace back to 1913 when they participated in the Far Eastern Championship games. Since then, the team has gone through its highs and lows through various tournaments in Asia. They have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or Olympics, but the Philippines did manage to win a few qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. However, it was not enough to merit a place in the tournament. Their current FIFA international ranking is #123.
The Azkals are coached by Thomas Dooley and have 3 home venues in Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod, Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan, and the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City. Phil Younghusband is the current captain and holds the records for most caps (95) and most goals (48).
Their most recent major win came in the 2014 AFF Championship, where the Azkals defeated Indonesia for the first time since 1934. This got them to the semifinals of the tournament against Thailand. Unfortunately, they lost the away leg of the round and were eliminated.
Residents can place wagers on the Azkals in any of their international fixtures or tournaments through licensed offshore sportsbooks. Look out for game props and live betting lines to mix things up. Don’t expect the Azkals to break into the major international stage anytime soon, but they do make for a solid domestic betting option.
Philippines Soccer League
Founded in April 2017, the Philippines Football League is a relatively new soccer offering for residents. It is considered the top-flight league in the Philippines and is sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation. There are a total of 6 teams in the league, including:
- Ceres Negros (Bacolod)
- Davao Aguilas (Tagum)
- Global Cebu (Cebu City)
- JPV Marikina (Marikina)
- Kaya FC—Iloilo (Iloilo City)
- Stallion Laguna (Binan)
The Philippines wanted to have their own top-flight domestic league following the success of the national team in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. The United Football League, based in Metro Manila, was the only standing league and thus became their only option. The Philippine Football Federation still wanted to introduce a more community-based league and launched a task force to determine which cities could be economically viable options as host cities for clubs. Nielsen was hired to conduct a study in 2015 that identified 13 areas in the Philippines that could be home venues in the PFL.
Since the league is so young, there are still plans to expand. As of now, there is only 1 division. The top 4 teams advance into a Playoffs-style elimination bracket. There were originally 8 teams in the league, but 2 have since dropped out. Hopefully, the PFL will be able to grow and see several new clubs enter the fray, thus creating more competition and opportunities for domestic soccer bettors.