Inside GGPoker Philippines With Patrick Pun

Somuchpoker sat down with Patrick Pun, one of the key figures behind the growing presence of GGPoker Philippines, to discuss the platform’s direction and integrity amid the country’s changing online gaming landscape.

A longtime industry insider, Pun first discovered poker while studying in Japan, where he witnessed the game’s evolution from just a pastime to organized competition. Over the years, he became a fixture in Asia’s live circuit, served as Marketing Manager for Poker Dream before taking on his current role as a consultant for GGPoker Philippines.

GGPoker Philippines And Who Can Join

Can you share how fast GGPoker Philippines has grown and what games have been garnering the most interest?

The GGPoker Philippines platform launched back in February 2024. Since then, we’ve been growing steadily every month, and we continue to see consistent progress. Compared to other parts of the world, we’ve noticed that the Philippines has a larger proportion of tournament players. And I’m not referring to quick formats like Spin & Go’s. I mean real tournaments that last several hours or even days. While many players enjoy cash games, there’s a strong community of professionals and enthusiasts who really enjoy playing big tournaments.

Is GGPoker Philippines restricted to only Filipinos or can foreign players enter?

According to PAGCOR (Philippine Gaming Amusement Corporation), everyone in the Philippines can play in GGPoker Philippines. Even foreigners who reside in the country are eligible to play. They just need a physical address and need to be in the Philippines while playing. The use of VPN is not allowed.

What specific features or promotions does GGPoker PH have for beginners and recreational players?

These days, learning poker is easier than ever – everything you need, from beginner basics to advanced strategy, can be found online, especially on YouTube. At GGPoker PH, we have a “How to Play Poker” section on our website that introduces players to different game types and formats.

Another thing many people might not know is that we also offer non-cash (play money) tables, where players can practice without risking real money. You can use play chips to try out different games, and free coins are automatically given every few hours when you log in. It’s a very good way to practice.

How about freerolls? Beginners love freerolls.

It really depends on the event itself. For example, during the last PPM, we offered freerolls for players to get started, as well as some events with very small buy-ins. Even in our cash games, we have micro-stakes – as low as 10 cents or 20 cents – which are good for beginners to try out.

In my opinion, these micro-stake games are actually better for learning than play-money tables. Since play money is completely free, players often play loosely or without much thought. But in micro-stakes, even though the amounts are small, people still play seriously so you can learn faster.

Arnel Trinidad’s GGPoker PH Hero Story

One of the most incredible stories coming out of GGPoker PH was Arnel Trinidad who won a freeroll in the platform to a live event, the Philippine Poker Millions, then won it for ₱7 Million (~US$ 120K). Are there more opportunities such as this in the pipeline?

At GGPoker, we try to provide those opportunities by offering freerolls and low buy-in satellites that can lead to major events. Of course, under regulations, we can’t promote poker as a skill game or claim that it can change your life, but what we can promote is that poker is a game where players can chase their dreams. Arnel’s journey is a perfect example of that. When I spoke with him, he kept saying, “Thanks to GGPoker, I wouldn’t have this honor or this glory.” But I always tell him, it was really his own effort and a bit of luck that brought him there.

GGPoker simply provides the platform – a place where players like Arnel can make their dreams a reality. Our goal is to continue creating that path, especially for young players who may not have the financial means to jump straight into big buy-ins. We’ll keep running low buy-in games and satellites that give them a chance to stand on the big stage.

The Philippine Poker Millions (PPM) was just one example. We have a lot of tournaments coming up. The APT Championship Online is one of the big ones, along with several smaller events and our regular weekly tournaments like the Sunday Millions. Things are always happening on GGPoker – big or small, players can always find something they want to play. We’ve invested heavily – far more than most people would expect – because we want to help grow the poker industry here. Seeing stories like Arnel’s makes every bit of that investment worthwhile.

Navigating Philippine Online Gaming Pressure

With recent crackdown on online gaming in the country, what are some of GGPoker PH’s challenges?

In order to be fully compliant with PAGCOR regulations and other related requirements, what we can do in terms of promotion is actually quite limited. Under PAGCOR rules, we cannot promote poker as a skill game. Poker falls under the same category as other online casino games like baccarat or slot machines, which are considered purely games of chance. We also can’t make statements like “poker can change your life” or “poker can make your life better,” because you couldn’t say the same about baccarat or slots. So while poker is truly a different kind of game, the way it’s classified here means our promotional activities are much more restricted compared to other countries or regions.

Speaking personally, I don’t believe that a full ban on online gaming is the best approach. Licensed and regulated platforms – like those approved by PAGCOR – already ensure that games are fair and that players are protected. The real issue lies with unregulated platforms. Even PAGCOR has acknowledged how difficult it is to completely eliminate them.

This challenge isn’t unique to the Philippines. Even countries with strict internet control, like China, still struggle to fully shut down illegal gaming platforms. What we can do is focus on two key things: enforcement and education. First, we use the best available technology, and second, we educate the public on how to recognize and choose legitimate platforms if they want to play responsibly. Gaming, when done responsibly, is a form of entertainment, it is not something you should risk everything on.

We also support PAGCOR’s self-exclusion programs and other responsible gaming initiatives. If a player or their family feels that gaming is becoming difficult to control, there are tools and systems in place to help them take a break or stop entirely.

GGPoker PH On Trust And Poker As A Mind Sport

Beginners tend to think that online poker can’t be trusted. How does GGPoker PH address this?

Many players are hesitant to play online because they fear scams, bots, and other things. That concern is understandable. Those things do exist on some platforms, but not all. It largely depends on the scale of the operator, the strength of their technology, and the mindset of the bosses. Some platforms are not strict about security, which makes it easier for bots to infiltrate games. This is especially common in club-based games, where even club owners may use bots to increase profits.

At GGPoker Philippines, everyone plays directly on our platform. There are no clubs, no external operators – we run every game ourselves. Our revenue comes from rake, so there is no reason for bots, no reason for us to let bots ruin our games.

That’s why we invest heavily in maintaining the highest level of security against bots, collusion, and any form of cheating. GGPoker is recognized as one of the most secure platforms in the industry. I was told by developers working in AI bot technology that GGPoker is among the hardest platforms to breach. Alongside another major brand, we’re known for spending significant resources to ensure security.

The challenge, however, is communicating this to players – to make them feel that security. Many still assume that when they take a bad beat, it’s because the game is rigged. But the truth is simple: whether player A or player B wins doesn’t matter to the operator at the end of the day.

The World Poker Federation has been making strides in having poker recognized as a mind sport. Is that something GGPoker PH is working on?

Yes, it’s something we are actively working on. Not just myself, but others in the industry as well. The goal isn’t to change poker, but to bring it back on the right track. Poker is a game that combines both skill and luck. We want to promote it this way, as a mind sport – one that involves psychology, mathematics, probabilities, and statistics. Yes, money is involved, but it’s not pure gambling.

What is the most convenient way to deposit funds and withdraw winnings when playing on GGPoker PH?

GCash is one of the main options. However, it has a relatively low transaction limit, you can only withdraw up to ₱50,000 each time, which is around US$ 850. The good thing is you can make multiple withdrawals in a day.

It also depends on your bank. Some banks allow more transactions, while others may temporarily freeze your account for verification. This is actually a security measure to protect account owners, since scams do happen.

Long-Term Vision

What is GGPoker’s long-term vision for the Philippines?

It has been more than a year and a half since we started operating here, and we remain the only licensed online operator in the Philippines that focuses solely on poker, not other casino games. That already shows our direction – we’re here to develop poker, not just as a game but as an industry.

We see the Philippines as a very promising and growing market for poker, which is why we came here with a long-term commitment. Our vision is simple: we want poker in the Philippines to evolve the same way it has in Japan and Taiwan, where it’s recognized not just as gambling but as a mind sport.

In Japan, for example, there are even freeroll poker events for underage players – under 18 – where many come with their parents. They are freerolls and they win a prize. They learn early, play responsibly, and enjoy poker as both a competition and a social game. That’s what we want to see in the Philippines too, poker as a fun, family-friendly, and intellectually engaging activity, something people can enjoy casually at home or seriously in tournaments.