Gaming Affiliate Accreditation with PAGCOR: Framework and Support Service Providers

PAGCOR gaming affiliate accreditation is the process by which a corporation is authorized to provide electronic gaming systems, game content, or gaming-related support services to PAGCOR-licensed gaming venues, integrated resorts, and accredited Gaming System Administrators (GSAs). Only corporations duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may apply. Applications are filed with the Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD) of PAGCOR's I-Gaming Licensing and Regulation Group, and only applications with complete requirements are considered received. Accreditation is granted for two years, and the application fee is non-refundable.

Who Needs PAGCOR Accreditation as a Gaming Affiliate or Support Service Provider

Under the Regulatory Framework for the Accreditation of Gaming Affiliates and Support Service Providers (Revision No. 1, effective 2 October 2025), GSAs, gaming venue operators, and licensees of integrated resorts may only engage PAGCOR-accredited B2B providers for electronic gaming operations within the Philippine jurisdiction.

There are two broad categories:

Gaming Affiliates are entities that own or operate, in whole or in part, a business deriving revenue from PAGCOR-regulated gaming. These are:

• Game Aggregator (GA) — connects electronic and online gaming with game content providers, uniting multiple gaming systems into one and providing game integration, payments, and technical support.
• Game Content Provider (GCP) — provides electronic or virtual games, related servers, and services, including the Data/Content Streaming Provider that supplies live-streamed games.

Support Service Providers (SSP) render gaming-related products or services, such as payment gateway solutions, marketing and promotional services, customer service, KYC/membership systems, and independent game testing laboratory services.

Key Rules Before You Apply

Several framework provisions shape how an application should be structured:

• Per game offering. A GCP's accreditation is granted on a per game offering basis — separate accreditation for each offering, such as Electronic Casino Games, Sports Betting, or Traditional Bingo Games.
• No exclusivity required. GSAs, operators, and IR licensees may avail of the services of any accredited B2B provider. Contracts between them do not bind PAGCOR.
• SEC registration. Foreign-based B2B providers, or their local counterpart, must register with the SEC.
• Exclusive distributors. A foreign-based Gaming Affiliate may appoint a local entity or GSA as exclusive distributor, but the agreement is automatically deemed void once the foreign affiliate is accredited. Each local entity or GSA may hold up to five distributorships.
• Limited clientele. Accredited B2B providers may offer products and services only to PAGCOR-licensed gaming venue operators, accredited GSAs, and IR licensees. Failure is a ground for revocation.

Step-by-Step Accreditation Procedure

1. Download the application form. The Application Form for Accreditation of Gaming Affiliate and Support Service Provider is available on the PAGCOR regulatory website.
2. Submit a Letter of Intent addressed to the PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
3. File the application. Submit the duly filled-out form with the documents in Annex A (List of Documentary Requirements) to the EGLD. Incomplete applications are returned and may be resubmitted once insufficiencies are addressed.
4. Secure EGLD approval before paying. The applicant must first obtain EGLD approval prior to payment of the non-refundable application fee.
5. Pay the application fee. For a Gaming Affiliate (Game Aggregator or Game Content Provider), the fee is PhP250,000.00 for two years. For Support Service Providers, the fee is PhP250,000.00 for two years, except the Independent Game Testing Laboratory, which pays PhP500,000.00 for two years. As an incentive, complete applications filed and paid before 31 December 2025 are granted an accreditation valid for the first three years.
6. Enroll with the GLDD. Before doing business with a PAGCOR-licensed operator, licensee, or accredited GSA, the applicant must enroll with the Gaming Licensing and Development Department under the Suppliers Regulatory Manual.
7. Undergo inspection and walkthrough. Once compliant, the PAGCOR Inspection Team conducts an ocular site inspection and observes the walkthrough and testing of the electronic gaming system, game contents, and online gaming platform.
8. Probity check. Applicants must meet PAGCOR probity standards — good repute, sufficient experience, stable financial standing, and satisfactory corporate structure — verified through a third-party probity checker at the applicant's cost.
9. Board approval and issuance. If approved by the PAGCOR Board of Directors, the Certificate of Accreditation (COA), signed by the PAGCOR Chairman and CEO, is issued.
10. Post the Performance Cash Deposit. A PCD of PhP1,000,000.00 must be posted — regardless of the number of game offerings for accredited GCPs — before commencing operations.
11. Receive the Notice to Commence. Once all pre-commencement requirements are met, the EGLD issues the Notice to Commence Operation.

Documentary Requirements and Continuing Compliance

The application form (EGLD Form No. 1208) lists the core documentary requirements, including the company profile, SEC registration certificate, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, latest General Information Sheet, Mayor's or Business Permit, BIR Registration Certificate, notarized Secretary's Certificate, notarized capability disclosure, and a notarized Personal Disclosure Statement with attachments.

Accredited providers must also comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Council rules as supervised by PAGCOR's PASED, the Data Privacy Act (Republic Act 10173), and PAGCOR probity checking. Each year, on or before May 31, B2B providers must submit to the EGLD a photocopy of the latest GIS, the Authorized Signatory with Specimen Signature form, a valid Mayor's or Business Permit, and a notarized PDS. Any change in ownership or in the Board of Directors must be reported within 30 calendar days.

The COA and any Permit to Hold are valid for two years from Board approval. Renewal applications with complete updated requirements must be filed at least two months before expiration.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the PAGCOR accreditation fee for a gaming affiliate? The non-refundable application or renewal fee is PhP250,000.00 for two years for a Game Aggregator or Game Content Provider. The Independent Game Testing Laboratory pays PhP500,000.00.

How long is a PAGCOR Certificate of Accreditation valid? The COA and Permit to Hold are valid for two years from the date of approval by the PAGCOR Board of Directors. Applications completed and paid before 31 December 2025 are granted a first-term validity of three years.

Can a foreign gaming company get PAGCOR accreditation? Yes. A foreign-based B2B provider, or its local counterpart, must register with the SEC. A foreign-based Gaming Affiliate may also appoint a local entity or GSA as exclusive distributor, but that distributorship is automatically void once the affiliate is accredited.

Practical takeaways

• Only SEC-registered corporations may apply; foreign-based providers must register locally.
• A GCP is accredited per game offering, and each offering requires its own approval.
• The application fee is PhP250,000.00 for two years (PhP500,000.00 for an IGTL), and a PhP1,000,000.00 Performance Cash Deposit must be posted before operations begin.
• Enroll with the GLDD before transacting with any PAGCOR-licensed operator, licensee, or GSA.
• Renew at least two months before the COA expires, and keep annual submissions and ownership-change reports current.

Primary sources

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

Regulatory Framework for the Accreditation of Gaming Affiliates and Support Service Providers Rev. No. 1Open in Law LibraryDownload PDF

Accreditation of Gaming Affiliates Application FormOpen 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.