The Philippine gaming regulatory body PAGCOR is strictly enforcing a new certification framework for B2B (business-to-business) suppliers, and time is running out for the market. According to the new regulations, all suppliers providing services to licensed online operators in the Philippines must complete certification by March 31, 2026. Legal consultancy Arden Consult warns that any delay or evasion will face risks of operational suspension, platform removal, and severe reputational damage. PAGCOR has made it clear that it will not hesitate to deem services uncertified by the deadline as illegal. This means that by April, uncertified suppliers will have no legal means to continue operating in the Philippines, and related games may be forced offline.
Double Risk Under Strict Regulation
For businesses that have yet to act, the risks are twofold. First is the direct operational and regulatory risk. PAGCOR has the authority to order the shutdown of uncertified systems and issue stop notices to operators using these services, which could lead to the suspension or even termination of supplier contracts. Second is the more profound global reputational risk. The interconnected nature of the gambling industry means that a record of "non-compliance" in the Philippines could trigger stricter scrutiny in other jurisdictions. Conversely, actively obtaining Philippine certification can become a cornerstone of credibility for businesses in global market negotiations. Industry expert Tonet reminds that any illusions about enforcement being "lenient" or "delayed" should be completely dispelled.
Market Differentiation: Pioneers and Observers
Facing the same regulatory requirements, market participants are divided into two distinctly different strategies. On one hand, international mainstream and publicly listed companies respond quickly. For example, Light & Wonder became the first international system and content provider to obtain PAGCOR certification in 2025, sending a safe and reliable signal to operators and gaining a competitive edge in compliance competition. On the other hand, some suppliers still adopt a wait-and-see attitude, possibly due to unfamiliarity with the strictly regulated market or concerns about the costs of establishing a local entity. However, collaborating with already certified integrators is also a viable compliance path. Time is really running out, and the cost of waiting is rapidly increasing.
Compliance Advice and Industry Outlook
For suppliers who have not yet completed certification, the most urgent actions should include:
Immediately initiating the certification application process, assessing whether to meet requirements through establishing a local entity or partnering with certified partners.
Proactively communicating with existing operator clients, explaining compliance progress, and stabilizing cooperative relationships.
Viewing Philippine certification as a strategic investment, not just a compliance cost, it helps enhance the global brand image.
According to continuous observation by PASA's official website, global gambling regulation is showing a trend of continuous tightening, actively adapting and leading in compliance requirements has become an important part of corporate core competitiveness. This change in the Philippine market provides a clear signal to the entire industry: in a standardized market, "compliance" itself is a valuable business asset. Keeping an eye on global regulatory dynamics on PASA's official website can help businesses better anticipate risks and seize opportunities.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
