PAGCOR enforces accreditation for all iGaming service providers by 2026

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has given gaming affiliates, developers, and support service providers until early 2026 to comply with its newly implemented B2B Accreditation Framework, a regulatory system that formalizes participation in the iGaming supply chain.

Companies that submit applications by December 31, 2025, will qualify for a three-year initial accreditation, while unaccredited foreign content providers face removal from licensed platforms after March 31, 2026.

Framework and scope

The framework, which took effect on October 2, sets mandatory accreditation requirements for all third-party entities providing gaming content, systems, or technical support to PAGCOR-licensed operators.

According to regulatory advisory firm Arden Consult, “the newly issued B2B Accreditation Framework now provides the complete set of rules, requirements, and procedures governing the accreditation of Gaming Affiliates and Support Service Providers, clarifying how PAGCOR intends to regulate and monitor this sector moving forward.”

Accreditation covers several categories, including gaming affiliates, game content providers (GCPs), and support service providers (SSPs). Gaming affiliates may act as aggregators that distribute multiple game titles to operators, while GCPs are developers or studios supplying electronic game software or live-streamed content.

“Each GCP is accredited per game offering, meaning a separate PAGCOR accreditation is required for each category of game content supplied,” Arden Consult said, as per a SiGMA report.

SSPs include “Payment Channel Providers,” “Marketing/Promotional Service providers,” “Customer Service providers,” “Know-Your-Customer (KYC) / Membership System providers,” and “Independent Gaming Testing Laboratories (IGTLs).” The framework requires all licensed operators and Gaming System Administrators to use only accredited providers for games, systems, and related services.

Eligibility and financial requirements

Only corporations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission may apply for accreditation. “PAGCOR will conduct thorough background checks and probity checks on the company, its key officers, and beneficial owners in accordance with the Probity Checking Framework issued by its AML supervision department,” Arden Consult said.

The new system also introduces a Performance Cash Deposit (PCD) requirement. “The required PCD amount is PHP1 million ($17,171) for each accredited provider (for each game offering, in the case of a GCP, or each service category for an SSP),” the firm said. The deposit serves as financial security and may be forfeited or drawn upon in cases such as penalties or revocation.

Accreditation is valid for two years from the date of PAGCOR Board approval, an increase from the previous one-year term.

Compliance and enforcement

Foreign data or content streaming providers that fail to secure accreditation by the March 2026 deadline will have their content deemed “non-compliant and unauthorized.” They may appoint a Philippine-registered company or a PAGCOR-accredited Gaming System Administrator as their exclusive distributor instead of setting up a local office.

PAGCOR has also warned that licensed operators using unaccredited service providers may face sanctions. “PAGCOR has made it clear that the era of loosely monitored service providers is over, and only those willing to operate under stringent regulatory scrutiny will be permitted to continue,” Arden Consult said.

The firm added that the new framework aligns the Philippines with international jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, New Jersey, Malta, Germany, and Ontario, where regulators also require accreditation or licensing for B2B iGaming suppliers.