Casino Regulatory Manual for Licensed Land-Based Casinos: PAGCOR Compliance Guide

The Casino Regulatory Manual (CRM) for Licensed Land-Based Casinos is PAGCOR's single, consolidated rulebook for casinos under its jurisdiction. Issued by the Gaming Licensing and Development Department under Revision No. 0, it took effect on August 13, 2025. It replaces previously separate manuals with one comprehensive framework covering casino layout and design, internal controls, surveillance, responsible gaming, compliance procedures, and reporting requirements. The revision aims to promote consistency in regulatory enforcement, eliminate duplicative provisions, and enhance operational clarity across the industry. For licensees, the CRM is the primary regulatory policy — non-compliance can trigger sanctions under PAGCOR's separate Regulatory Framework for Offenses and Penalties.

What the Casino Regulatory Manual covers

The CRM is organized into 30 Regulations, each addressing a core area of casino operations. Key coverage includes:

• Regulation 1 – Definition of terms used throughout the manual
• Regulation 2 – Casino layout, including maximum gaming area, gaming mix ratios, and submission of the casino layout plan
• Regulations 3 to 5 – Gaming tables, electronic gaming machines (EGMs), and gaming equipment
• Regulation 6 – The Casino Management System
• Regulation 7 – Surveillance requirements
• Regulations 8 to 13 – Gaming chips and plaques, playing cards, procurement, supplier enrollment, movement, and decommissioning of gaming equipment
• Regulations 14 to 20 – Casino operational rules, conduct of gaming, advertising, player incentives, marketing, junket operations, and prohibited personalities
• Regulations 21 to 23 – Determination of Gross Gaming Revenue and PAGCOR license fees, and their collection and remittance
• Regulations 24 to 30 – Patron disputes, responsible gaming, gaming employment licenses, the PAGCOR Monitoring Team, anti-money laundering, ancillary games, and cruise ship casinos

Who must comply

All Licensed Land-Based Casinos under PAGCOR's jurisdiction are covered. Under Section 1 of the Regulatory Framework for Offenses and Penalties, licensees may be sanctioned if they commit acts or omissions in violation of Philippine laws, are found non-compliant with the CRM, or fail to adhere to regulatory directives or orders issued by PAGCOR.

The Casino Operational Rules and Guidelines

A central compliance document for licensees is the Casino Operational Rules and Guidelines (CORG) — the casino house rules, operating guidelines, game mechanics, and income determination procedures formulated by the licensee in consultation with PAGCOR. The CRM requires casino operations to be consistent with the approved CORG. Deviating from it without approval is itself a regulatory offense.

How violations are handled

PAGCOR's Regulatory Framework for Offenses and Penalties, also effective August 13, 2025, sets out a progressive discipline system. Offenses are classified as Minor, Moderate, or Major, with sanctions escalating according to frequency and severity.

The regulatory process includes defined stages and timeframes:

1. Initiation – Regulatory proceedings may begin on GLDD's own initiative or upon a complaint, observation report, referral, or endorsement.
2. Initial evaluation – The Evaluation Committee conducts an initial evaluation within ten (10) business days.
3. Notice to Show Cause – The licensee is directed to submit a written Answer within ten (10) business days from receipt.
4. Final disposition – The Evaluation Committee recommends action, and a decision is issued within ninety (90) calendar days from receipt of the Answer or lapse of the period to submit one.
5. Motion for Reconsideration – The licensee may file an MR within fifteen (15) working days from receipt of the decision. Only one MR is entertained.

Monetary penalties must be paid within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Notice of Imposition of Penalty. A 12% annual interest, pro-rated daily, applies to amounts unpaid after that period.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Casino Regulatory Manual take effect? The revised CRM took effect on August 13, 2025, under Revision No. 0.

What happens if a licensed casino violates the CRM? PAGCOR may impose sanctions under its Regulatory Framework for Offenses and Penalties, ranging from a written warning or corrective action order for minor offenses to license suspension or revocation for major offenses.

Does the CRM apply to all casinos in the Philippines? It applies to Licensed Land-Based Casinos under PAGCOR's jurisdiction, consolidating rules that were previously spread across separate manuals.

Practical takeaways

• The CRM is PAGCOR's single consolidated rulebook for licensed land-based casinos, effective August 13, 2025.
• It covers layout, gaming tables, EGMs, equipment, the Casino Management System, surveillance, junket operations, GGR determination, and license fee remittance, among others.
• Licensees must formulate a CORG in consultation with PAGCOR and keep operations consistent with it.
• Violations are classified as Minor, Moderate, or Major, with penalties escalating under a progressive discipline framework.
• Key deadlines include ten (10) business days to answer a Notice to Show Cause, fifteen (15) working days to file a Motion for Reconsideration, and fifteen (15) days to pay a monetary penalty.

Primary sources

The rules discussed above are drawn from the following PAGCOR issuances, embedded here in full for your reference.

Casino Regulatory Manual for Licensed Land-Based CasinosOpen in Law LibraryDownload PDF

Regulatory Framework for Offenses and Penalties for Licensed Land-Based CasinosOpen in Law LibraryDownload PDF

This article is general information and not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a lawyer or ask ASG Legal AI.