Are offshore betting sites legal in Philippines?

Offshore betting sites are considered illegal in the Philippines. Following the issuance of Executive Order No. 74 in 2024, all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were banned. This means that any company operating within the Philippines and offering online gambling services to players abroad is doing so illegally.

For residents of the Philippines, the law is also clear: it is illegal to place bets on offshore and unlicensed gambling websites. PAGCOR has repeatedly issued warnings to the public, advising them to avoid patronizing these illegal sites. While enforcement against individual players is not the primary focus, the government has been actively working to block access to these websites at the ISP level.

Therefore, while some residents may still be able to access these sites using VPNs, they are doing so in violation of Philippine law and at their own risk. The government's stance is to protect its citizens from the potential harms of unregulated gambling and to ensure that all gambling activities within its jurisdiction are properly licensed and taxed.