PAGCOR Supplier Accreditation Requirements in the Philippines: A Step-by-Step Guide

Supplying gaming equipment or gaming paraphernalia in the Philippines requires two separate approvals: enrollment with PAGCOR through the Gaming Licensing and Development Department (GLDD), and accreditation with the casino operator you intend to serve. Enrollment comes first — a supplier must enroll with GLDD before doing business with any operator of a gaming establishment. After enrollment, the supplier may apply for accreditation with the operator. Only suppliers who have both enrolled with GLDD and been accredited by the licensee or operator may supply gaming equipment and gaming paraphernalia to PAGCOR and operators.

Step 1: Enroll with PAGCOR's GLDD

Under Regulation 2 of the Suppliers Regulatory Manual (Revision No. 2, effective November 3, 2022), a supplier of approved gaming equipment and/or gaming paraphernalia must enroll with PAGCOR through GLDD before doing business with an operator.

Submit the following to GLDD:

• Duly accomplished Supplier's Enrollment Form (GLDD-1009)
• Company profile
• List of products or items
• Supplier's Registration from the Procurement Department
• Proof of ownership or contract of lease, for suppliers with a storage facility in the Philippines

Incomplete submissions will not be received for processing. Once all documents are submitted, GLDD issues a Certificate of Enrollment. The list of enrolled suppliers is posted on PAGCOR's regulatory website.

Step 2: Secure Operator Accreditation

The manner of accreditation with the licensee or operator is left to the operator's discretion. Operators are expected to conduct probity checks on the enrolled suppliers they accredit. Note that an enrolled supplier must first seek accreditation with PAGCOR's Procurement Department prior to enrollment and inclusion in the GLDD-enrolled suppliers list.

Step 3: Obtain a Permit to Hold

An enrolled supplier that will hold inventories of gaming equipment and paraphernalia in the Philippines must obtain a Permit to Hold (PTH) from PAGCOR. The supplier must first be accredited by an operator before proceeding to obtain the PTH.

For initial availment, submit to GLDD, together with the Supplier's Shipment Clearance Request and Approval Form (GLDD-1013):

• Application for Permit to Hold form (GLDD-1019)
• Specimen Signature Card (GLDD-1012)
• Copy of the Registration Certificate from the DTI or SEC
• Copy of the Articles of Partnership/Corporation and By-Laws, if applicable
• Certified True or Machine copy of the Certificate of Registration/Permit to Operate from the economic zone authority (e.g., PEZA, CDC, SBMA) for storage facilities inside an economic zone
• Photocopy of the Mayor's Permit/Business Permit
• Proof of accreditation from an operator

Foreign suppliers may substitute the registration and articles documents with equivalent documents from their own country, duly acknowledged and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office, if translated in English.

GLDD may request copies of the operator's probity checks on the supplier, and evaluates applications based on the completeness of documentary submissions.

Validity and Renewal of the Permit to Hold

The Permit to Hold for gaming equipment and gaming paraphernalia is valid for one (1) year and is renewable for another year. For traditional bingo gaming equipment and paraphernalia, the permit is valid for three (3) years, renewable for another three (3) years.

Renewal is on a per-transaction basis. Submit the renewal documents to GLDD three (3) months prior to expiration of the current PTH: the Application for Renewal (GLDD-1019), the Specimen Signature Card (GLDD-1012), an updated Registration Certificate from the DTI or SEC if applicable, and an updated copy of the Articles of Partnership/Corporation and By-Laws if applicable. Incomplete submissions will not be received for processing. Renewal depends on completeness of submissions and compliance with reportorial requirements.

Reportorial and Movement Requirements

Suppliers must file a Quarterly Log Report (GLDD-1017) on or before the 10th day of the month following each calendar quarter (April, July, and October), and an Annual Inventory Log Report (GLDD-1018) on or before the 10th day of January each year.

Movement requests follow fixed lead times: the Shipment Clearance Request and Approval Form (GLDD-1013) and the Ship-out Clearance Request and Approval Form (GLDD-1015) must be filed at least fourteen (14) business days before the shipment or ship-out date; the Pullout and Transfer Notification Form (GLDD-1014) at least two (2) business days before movement; and the Product Demonstration Request and Approval Form (GLDD-1016) at least five (5) business days before the demonstration. A fee of Php 1,000.00 per shipment applies for succeeding availments of the Permit to Hold.

Frequently asked questions

How long does PAGCOR supplier enrollment take? The manual does not fix a processing period. GLDD issues the Certificate of Enrollment upon submission of complete documentary requirements, and incomplete submissions are not received for processing.

Does the Certificate of Enrollment expire? No. Under the Suppliers Regulatory Manual, the Certificate of Enrollment has no expiration, but it is non-transferable and non-assignable.

What happens if the supplier changes its business name? The supplier must enroll anew. GLDD does not issue an amended Certificate of Enrollment; the new certificate is posted on PAGCOR's regulatory website and the old one is stricken off.

Practical takeaways

• Enroll with GLDD first; operator accreditation and the Permit to Hold come after.
• Keep the PTH valid — renew three (3) months before expiration, and remember it is non-transferable and non-assignable.
• File quarterly and annual inventory reports on time; renewal depends on compliance.
• Observe the lead times for shipment, ship-out, transfer, and demonstration forms.
• Inform GLDD in writing of any change in storage facility ownership, lease terms, forced vacancy, or additional warehouse.

Primary sources

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

Supplier Regulatory ManualOpen in Law LibraryDownload PDF

Suppliers Regulatory Manual Revision No. 2Open 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.