They are - BUT - gambling online or in land-based casinos does come with its own rules and legalities which players need to understand.
Online casinos are extremely popular in the Philippines and it is legal for players to gamble just so long as they come with a PAGCOR (the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) license. PAGCOR is the government body that gives out licenses to gambling operators in the country.
Offshore sites are also legal as they don’t have to follow Government regulations. The consensus amongst our compliance team and other experts in the field is that Filipino laws focus more towards licensing and regulating operators rather than prohibiting individual players. In 2012, the Filipino Court of Appeals won a ruling which allowed foreign-based online casinos to operate without the risk of breaking any laws, for players or themselves.
Safe offshore sites will hold licenses and be regulated by the likes of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and Curacao e-Gaming Regulatory Authorities. PAGCOR may also have some regulatory 'safeguarding' on these sites. The key is to look out for these logos on whichever site you access or want to play on.
Players who want to enter a land-based casino and play must be at least 21 or over. PAGCOR was established in 1976 and continues to hold power over the laws with regards to gambling online or in land-based establishments.
You should read more information on the PAGCOR site for full details.
Keep an eye on VSO news for further updates on developments within the Filipino gambling industry.