PAGCOR Registered Brands and Domain Names: Gaming System Administrator Rules

PAGCOR's Regulatory Framework for the Accreditation of Gaming System Administrators requires every accredited Gaming System Administrator (GSA) to register with PAGCOR one main brand name and one main domain name/URL across all its approved game offerings. A GSA may also register up to a maximum of six (6) sub-brands, each with its own domain or sub-domain. All additional URLs outside the main domain and six sub-domains must be redirected to them. Brand, domain, sub-brand, and URL changes require approval by PAGCOR's Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD).

What a Gaming System Administrator is

Under the Regulatory Framework, a Gaming System Administrator (formerly called a Gaming System Service Provider) is the entity accredited by PAGCOR to provide the electronic gaming service, along with its suite of games, to PAGCOR-licensed gaming venues per specific game offering.

A Brand is defined in the framework as the gaming service and/or suite of games offered by an accredited GSA, duly recognized and approved by PAGCOR for the corresponding game offering under which the GSA is accredited.

Accreditation is granted independently and separately for each game offering. The framework lists eight categories: Traditional Bingo Games, Electronic Bingo Games, Electronic Casino Games, Sports Betting, Specialty Games, Online Poker Games, Numeric Games, and other suites of games PAGCOR may allow in the future.

The one main brand, one main domain rule

The framework states that the GSA shall register with PAGCOR one main brand name and one main domain name/URL of its existing Electronic Gaming System (EGS) and Online Gaming Platform (OGP) across all its approved game offerings.

A brand must have a single-word name, along with a specific root word, which shall be exclusively assigned to the GSA.

This is why the published PAGCOR list of accredited GSAs and registered brands is organized around a main brand, a root word, a main domain, sub-domains, and additional URLs.

Sub-brands and sub-domains: the maximum of six

A GSA may opt to have sub-brands up to a maximum of six (6) sub-brands, with independent EGS/OGP for the operations of all its approved game offerings. The main brand name must always be visibly part of, or associated with, the sub-brand — either as a prefix or a suffix.

The same logic applies to web addresses. A GSA may use sub-domain names or URLs, provided the main domain name is visibly part of, or associated with, the sub-domain name or URL.

Two further technical rules apply:

• All EGS/OGP, including main and sub-domains, must record all transactions in a single back-office.
• All other additional URLs, aside from the main domains and six sub-domains, must always be redirected to the latter.

How to request a brand, domain, or URL change

For any intended additional or change in brand name, domain name, sub-brand name, and URL, the GSA must file a request for approval with the EGLD using the Brand, Domain Name, Uniform Resource Locator (URL) Request for Approval Form (EG Form No. 53).

A change in the main brand name and/or main domain name may be requested from PAGCOR three (3) times only, supported by justifiable reasons. At the time of the request, the GSA must be in good standing, with no record of or pending violation of guidelines, issuances of government agencies, or any Philippine law.

The EGLD evaluates and approves all utilization of brands and domain names/URLs requested by GSAs. It may also assign a specific brand or domain name/URL to a GSA, and may determine whether to retain or assign a particular brand to a deserving GSA based on factors that merit such assignment.

Who decides brand disputes

In case of a dispute between brands, the EGLD evaluates and determines which brand shall prevail based on meritorious instances — such as which entity had the first submission of the requested brand — or based on any other justifiable reason.

Social media accounts and marketing

Each main brand/main domain, as well as its sub-brands/sub-domains, may have one respective social media account per social media platform for marketing or promotional purposes, subject to EGLD approval.

Separately, the framework requires GSAs to ensure that players already included in the National Database for Restricted Persons (NDRP) no longer receive or are included in text blasts for marketing and promotional activities.

Frequently asked questions

How many brands can a PAGCOR-accredited Gaming System Administrator register? One main brand name and one main domain name/URL across all approved game offerings, plus up to six sub-brands with independent EGS/OGP.

How many times can a GSA change its main brand or main domain name? Three times only, subject to justifiable reasons and to the GSA being in good standing with no pending violations.

What form is used to request a new brand or domain name? The Brand, Domain Name, Uniform Resource Locator (URL) Request for Approval Form, or EG Form No. 53, filed with the EGLD.

Practical takeaways

• Register one main brand and one main domain per GSA; the brand must be a single word with an exclusively assigned root word.
• A GSA may add up to six sub-brands, provided the main brand appears as a prefix or suffix.
• Additional URLs outside the main domain and six sub-domains must redirect to them, and all transactions must sit in a single back-office.
• Main brand or main domain changes are limited to three requests, require justifiable reasons, and require a clean standing with PAGCOR.
• File all brand and URL requests with the EGLD using EG Form No. 53; the EGLD may assign or retain brands and resolves brand disputes.

Primary sources

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

List of PAGCOR-Accredited Gaming System Administrators and Registered Brands and Domain Names/URLsOpen in Law LibraryDownload PDF

Regulatory Framework for the Accreditation of Gaming System AdministratorsOpen 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.