State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has mandated all gaming corporations to formally declare their exclusive tie-ups with foreign gaming partners, which must be fully compliant with domestic gaming laws.

Pagcor directed all accredited gaming affiliates and previously authorized gaming system administrators with existing exclusive distributorship deals to submit a declaration form and supporting documents within 30 days of the notice’s July 6 publication.

Pagcor Assistant Vice President Jessa Mariz R. Fernandez, the concurrent officer-in-charge of the electronic gaming licensing department, said the directive seeks to establish “proper and complete monitoring of all appointments as exclusive distributor or reseller.” This will compel entities to disclose the full extent of their ties with foreign-based gaming affiliates.

According to the memorandum, this step is essential to ensure that foreign partners are “fully compliant with the requirements and provisions of the existing regulatory frameworks” governing the country’s electronic and online gaming platforms.

Warning that non-compliance will “warrant the imposition of administrative sanctions in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework,” Pagcor expects strict compliance from all concerned entities.

This crackdown is designed to tighten oversight of the business-to-business (B2B) ecosystem, which has grown increasingly complex with the influx of international content providers.

Pagcor noted that the new requirement will also serve as a prerequisite for future business. The submission of the declaration via EG Form No. 57 will now form part of the requirements for accreditation, game and gaming system approvals, and pre-operational compliance before an entity can secure a notice to commence operations.

Entities must provide rigorous documentation, including a certified true copy (CTC) of the authenticated or apostilled exclusive distributorship agreement. This allows the regulator to conduct due diligence to verify the character and legitimacy of the parties involved, ensuring the local gaming industry maintains its integrity.

In a separate memorandum, Pagcor introduced an alternative licensing scheme for gaming operations, setting minimum requirements for gaming equipment, seating capacity, and the offering of electronic or traditional bingo. This move aims to streamline the establishment of new gaming venues.

Pagcor announced that its board of directors approved the Unified Gaming License (UGL) as “an additional or alternative licensing option for gaming venue operations.” This initiative forms part of a push for greater efficiency and standardization in how the regulator manages the expansion of the country’s electronic gaming footprint.

Fernandez noted in the memorandum, published on the same day, that a major component of the UGL is the strict standardization of venue capacity and machine density to ensure a baseline level of operation.

Under the new guidelines, venues applying for the license must have at least 25 terminals each for electronic bingo and electronic casino games. Those offering traditional bingo must provide at least 25 seats, along with at least one terminal each for sports betting, specialty games, numeric games, and online poker.

The guidelines also detail financial transparency and long-term commitment. Pagcor has set the application fee for the new license at ₱1.2 million, which is valid for three years. Afterward, operators must pay an ₱800,000 renewal fee every two years.

This scheme is intended to eliminate regulatory overlaps by replacing earlier issuances that are inconsistent with the updated framework.