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How to check if an online casino is PAGCOR licensed

Scammers copy real Philippine brand names, logos and promos. Here's the 2-minute check to run before you deposit, and the tricks fake sites use.

Updated 26 Oct 2026 · by Jaime Apollo

How do I check if a casino is PAGCOR licensed?

Find the brand on PAGCOR's published list at pagcor.ph, then match the exact web address, not just the name. Check that the site names its legal operator, and that deposits go to a merchant account, never a personal GCash number. If any step fails, don't deposit.

The 2-minute check, step by step

  1. Find the brand on PAGCOR's list. Start with our list of licensed brands, then confirm on pagcor.ph or PAGCOR Guarantee (pagcorguarantee.ph), PAGCOR's site for checking legal online gaming platforms. If the brand isn't listed, stop.
  2. Match the exact domain. The brand name being right isn't enough. The full web address has to match what the operator publishes. "okbet.com" and "okbet-ph.vip" are not the same thing.
  3. Find the operator's legal name. Real sites name the company behind the brand in the footer or terms. The brand you see and the licensed company often have different names, and that's normal. No company name at all is not.
  4. Don't trust the seal by itself. A PAGCOR logo is just a picture unless it links to a page on pagcor.ph. Copying a seal takes seconds.
  5. Check how you got there. Links from text messages, Telegram, Facebook comments and "promo agents" are where most fakes come from. Type the address yourself.
  6. Look at the payment step. If the deposit goes to a personal name or number, it's fake.
  7. Read the promo. A ₱8,888 "no deposit" bonus with no terms is bait. Real promos list turnover, dates and eligible games.

Common look-alike tricks

  • Extra words: brandname-official, brandname-ph, brandnamelogin
  • Odd endings: .vip, .club, .top, .site
  • Swapped or doubled letters: okbbet, bingoplu5
  • Numbers added to a real name, like brandname777 or brandname88
  • Sites that call themselves "official" but link out to a different domain to sign up

Tip: Once you've confirmed the real address, bookmark it and only log in from the bookmark. It's the easiest protection there is.

If you've already paid a fake site

  • Stop sending money, including any "fee to withdraw".
  • Report the transaction to GCash or Maya through the in-app help center right away.
  • Change your passwords, and your e-wallet PIN if you shared it.
  • Report the site to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the CICC. Keep screenshots of the chats, the site and your receipts.

Common questions

Where can I verify a PAGCOR license online?

On pagcor.ph, and on PAGCOR Guarantee (pagcorguarantee.ph), the site PAGCOR launched in 2025 to list legal online gaming platforms. Match the exact web address, not just the brand name.

Is a casino with a PAGCOR logo licensed?

Not necessarily. A logo is just a picture and takes seconds to copy. Check that the brand and its exact domain appear on PAGCOR's own lists.

Are online casinos legal in the Philippines?

Playing on a PAGCOR-licensed site is legal for adults 21 and over, except government officials and others barred by PAGCOR rules. Unlicensed sites aren't, and they offer no protection if they don't pay.