E-Billiards in the Philippines: PAGCOR's Regulatory Framework Explained

Electronic billiards (E-Billiards) is betting on live local billiard games streamed in real time from a registered billiard hall, through an electronic wagering platform, whether onsite or remote. PAGCOR regulates it under its Regulatory Framework for Electronic Billiards (E-Billiards), effective November 15, 2023. Only a PAGCOR-licensed E-Billiard Operator (EBO) with an approved platform and brand may offer, activate, deploy, or operate E-Billiards. Only PAGCOR-accredited Billiard Leagues may supply live feeds, and only PAGCOR-registered billiard halls may be the source of those feeds.

What counts as E-Billiards under the framework

The framework defines E-Billiards as wagering or betting through an electronic wagering platform — onsite or offsite via online or remote betting — on live local billiards games, matches, events, competitions, and activities streamed or broadcasted in real time from a registered billiard hall.

Billiards covers all generally accepted styles, formats, disciplines, and forms of cue sports. A Billiard Hall is the location where actual games between GAB-licensed billiard players are held; it must have a business permit from the local government unit (LGU) concerned and must be registered with PAGCOR before feeds are streamed or broadcast to the betting platform.

E-Billiards is treated as a distinct and independent game offering, separate from the sports betting content of a PAGCOR-accredited Sports Betting System Service Provider.

Who may operate, and how licensing works

Only corporations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may apply as an E-Billiard Operator. The applicant files a Letter of Intent addressed to the PAGCOR Chairman and CEO, passes PAGCOR's standard probity check, and submits the E-Billiard Operator Registration Form (EB Form No. 1) with company, system, and business requirements. The E-Games/E-Bingo Licensing Department (EGLD) processes all applications.

Company requirements include a required capitalization of PhP100 million with PhP25 million paid-up capital. The non-refundable application fee is PhP2,500,000.00 for first issuance (valid for three years) and PhP5,000,000.00 for renewal (two years). The application is recommended to the Board only upon complete documents, payment of the PhP5 million application fee, satisfactory ocular inspection and platform testing by the PAGCOR Inspection Team, and compliance with probity requirements.

Once approved, the applicant receives a Gaming License Certificate signed by the PAGCOR President and Chief Operating Officer. Before commencing, it must post a PhP10 million Performance Cash Deposit and fully integrate its platform with PAGCOR's third-party audit platform.

Operating rules: schedules, bets, and player protection

E-Billiard Operations are conducted five days per week only, from 10:00 AM until 3:00 AM the following day; matches that start within that window may finish. Operations beyond five days need a Special Permit at PhP200,000.00 per day, granted only for just cause and capped at four days per month.

Bets from outside Philippine Territory are not allowed, and the platform must not be accessible outside the Philippines. Streaming feeds must come only from the submitted list of LGU-authorized, PAGCOR-registered billiard halls and may not be used for any other purpose.

Players must be at least 21 years old and must not be banned personalities under Memorandum Circular No. 6, series of 2016, of the Office of the President. Registration requires Know Your Customer (KYC) processing, and only one account per player per platform is allowed. The minimum deposit is PhP1,000.00 per funding request, and the minimum bet is PhP200.00. Fund sharing or pasaload between players is strictly prohibited.

Financial obligations and league accreditation

The E-Billiard system may use pool betting, pari-mutuel, or bookmaking. Under a pari-mutuel system, the commission rate must not exceed 15.00% of gross or total bets. The operator pays PAGCOR a PAGCOR Share of 30.00% of Gross Gaming Revenue, plus an audit fee of 10.00% of that share. Bets from cancelled games are excluded from GGR, but a Cancellation Fee of PhP50,000.00 per game applies — each rack played between players counts as one game. Remittances are due on the 10th of the following month.

Billiard Leagues must be accredited by PAGCOR to supply feeds. A league must have existed at least two years, be recognized by GAB, the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), or the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), have at least one professional player in its roster, and meet the framework's match and exhibition requirements. Accreditation fees are PhP1,250,000.00 for first issuance and PhP2,500,000.00 for renewal, with a PhP5,000,000.00 Performance Cash Deposit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I operate an E-Billiards business as a sole proprietor? No. Only corporations duly registered with the SEC may apply as an E-Billiard Operator.

Where can bets be placed? Onsite betting is allowed only at registered Off-Hall Betting Stations, which must be separate from billiard halls. No bets may be accepted within billiard hall premises.

How much is the PAGCOR share in E-Billiards? Thirty percent (30.00%) of Gross Gaming Revenue, plus an audit fee of ten percent (10.00%) of the PAGCOR Share.

Practical takeaways

• Only SEC-registered corporations may be licensed as E-Billiard Operators; capitalization is PhP100 million authorized with PhP25 million paid-up.
• Feeds must come from LGU-authorized, PAGCOR-registered billiard halls, harvested only by PAGCOR-accredited Billiard Leagues.
• Operations run five days a week, 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM, with Special Permits at PhP200,000.00 per day capped at four days monthly.
• Expect a 30.00% PAGCOR Share on GGR, a 10.00% audit fee on that share, and a PhP50,000.00 Cancellation Fee per game.
• Players must be 21 and above, pass KYC, and observe the PhP1,000.00 minimum deposit and PhP200.00 minimum bet.

Primary sources

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

Regulatory Framework For Electronic Billiards (E-Billiards)Open 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.