PAGCOR Targets December Launch for Gaming Verification App

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is targeting December 2026 for the launch of a mobile application that will help players identify licensed online gaming platforms and avoid illegal gambling websites. The regulator’s Board of Directors approved the project on October 8, including a proposed partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines Data Center, Inc. (DCI), which will develop and maintain the application. PAGCOR confirmed the timetable on October 19, following earlier announcements indicating that the platform would become available before the end of the year. Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the initiative would give consumers greater access to information about regulated operators. “This platform will give players a reliable way to verify which online gaming platforms are licensed by PAGCOR. We want the public to make informed choices and avoid falling prey to illegal operators,” Mr. Tengco said in a press release. DCI Partnership Includes Technical and Security Assessments Under the proposed agreement, DCI will handle the application’s development and hosting, alongside ongoing maintenance and technical support, at no cost to PAGCOR. The partnership will initially run for five years, with an option for renewal through mutual written agreement. Before full-scale implementation, DCI must demonstrate a proof of concept for the application’s minimum viable product. PAGCOR will conduct a six-month assessment covering the platform’s functionality and system architecture, with particular attention to cybersecurity safeguards and operational feasibility. The regulator may terminate the arrangement if DCI fails to address identified deficiencies within a reasonable period. The agreement must comply with Philippine privacy and information security requirements, including the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Data-sharing arrangements and related security obligations will be incorporated into the partnership terms or established through a separate agreement. These provisions will guide the platform’s development as PAGCOR prepares to introduce the verification service to mobile users. App Builds on Existing Licensing Verification System The planned application follows the introduction of the PAGCOR Guarantee website in 2025, which allows users to check whether online gaming providers hold valid licences. The mobile service will offer another way for players to access that information, supporting the regulator’s efforts to distinguish authorised gambling businesses from unlicensed operators. Tengco previously outlined the initiative during an August 24 hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, when he indicated that the application would launch before the end of 2026. During the hearing, he also estimated that approximately half of online gambling websites accessed in the Philippines operated illegally. PAGCOR provided further information about its plans at September’s IAG EXPO in Manila, identifying the fourth quarter as the intended launch period. The initiative also follows restrictions introduced by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in August 2025, requiring electronic wallet providers to remove direct links to online gambling platforms. The central bank introduced the measure to strengthen consumer protection, although concerns subsequently emerged about its potential effect on the visibility of licensed operators. The verification application is intended to help players identify legitimate providers independently of payment services. Government Agencies Coordinate Against Illegal Gambling PAGCOR is also working with other Philippine authorities to strengthen enforcement against unauthorised online gaming operations. The regulator is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to address illegal gambling websites. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center is also participating in these efforts. The cooperation forms part of broader measures to limit access to unlicensed gambling services and strengthen regulatory oversight of the country’s online gaming sector. Meanwhile, the forthcoming application will give consumers a dedicated resource for checking whether gaming platforms operate under PAGCOR authorisation. The December release remains subject to the project’s implementation requirements, including the technical assessment and completion of the proposed partnership arrangements. PAGCOR has yet to provide further details about the application’s final features or confirm an exact public release date. Source link The post PAGCOR Targets December Launch for Gaming Verification App appeared first on Top Rank Casinos.