Philippines

Explore Online and Live Poker in the Philippines

Philippine poker started in early 2006 with one poker room located at PAGCOR’s Airport Casino. In the beginning, it was the only casino offering Texas Hold’em Poker.  But after The Metro Card Club, the very first brick & mortar poker room in the country opened, numerous rooms followed suit. Despite the number of poker rooms in the metropolis alone, real popularity was gained after the launch of the Filipino Poker Tour, a local circuit sponsored by PokerStars. Seeing the reaction and the number of poker players in the archipelago, the international brand decided to hold the inaugural tournament of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Casino in Manila in August 2007. This event placed the Philippines on the global map as a poker destination.  The Asian Poker Tour (APT) reinforced this fact in 2008 by extending satellites abroad to APT events in the Philippines.

Since then, the poker community has truly boomed, especially with having PokerStars & Poker King Club making Manila as its new home. A greater influx of international poker players are coming in to attend prestigious tournaments like the APPT, the Asian Poker Tour (APT), and the World Poker Tour (WPT) National Philippines.

Apart from this newfound popularity in the poker scene, the Philippines, through CEZA, is also garnering a reputation as having Asia’s most favorable jurisdictions for licensing and regulating online gaming. As such, several online poker sites are operating directly from the Philippines.

The Philippines is the country second only to Macau for the total number of casinos in Asia. In 2018, these casinos should generate gross gaming revenues of $6 billion, putting the country in the top four in the world for gambling activities.

Online Poker in Philippines

Online Poker Legislation in the Philippines

Filipino residents are now technically free to access legal online poker in the Philippines through sanctioned offshore gambling sites. Philippine gambling laws restrict locally based gambling operators from offering their services to locals. That being said, the Cagayan Freeport region has its own gambling laws, and is in the early stages of licensing gambling companies, even though they would not be able to offer play to Philippines residents.

There is a real effort by the government to fight against underage online gambling. Operators found guilty of allowing minors on their platforms are to be sanctioned with imprisonment from 5 to 10 years and financial fines up to PHP 10 million (approximately $230,000). The law also states that “the penalty of imprisonment from 5 years to 10 years or a fine of PHP 100,000 (approximately $23,000) or both shall be imposed upon any parent, guardian, or person exercising moral authority or ascendancy over a minor, ward, or incapacitated person, who induces or causes them to commit any of the offenses punishable under the proposed law.

Since the election of President Rodrigo Duterte, the situation of online poker in the Philippines has become a bit uncertain. As he declared war against online gambling, PAGCOR refused license renewals for over 280 internet cafes and sports books used by Filipinos. Since then, no other initiative has been taken.

To this day, poker players still have access to all major poker sites. The following payments are widely accepted: credit/debit cards, Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Dash, Litecoin, Ethereum), wire transfers, cashier’s cheques, e-wallets, prepaid options. Deposits through Skrill / Neteller may not be possible on certain sites.

Mobile data in the Philippines isn’t quite reliable depending on the region and the time of the day. A solid Wi-Fi connection is recommended.

Best Online Poker Sites in Philippines

crypto-friendly
Stake Poker
Independent

Stake Poker

4.5
RakebackFixed 5%
Bonus code
SMPBONUS
SMPBONUS
Casino Games
1Win Poker
Independent

1Win Poker

4.5
Bonus-
RakebackUp to 50%
Bonus code
SMPBONUS
SMPBONUS
Crypto Friendly
CoinPoker
Independent

CoinPoker

4.8
RakebackFixed 33%
Bonus code
SMPBONUS
SMPBONUS

Live Poker in Philippines

Live Poker Legislation in the Philippines

In the Philippines, casinos have been open to locals and foreigners since a 1976 presidential decree which created the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The 100% state-owned PAGCOR is responsible for licensing the nation’s gambling operations, and runs 13 casinos across the country, with 50% of the revenues going straight to the National Treasury. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is a very big contributor of revenue to the Philippine government and employs over 11,000 people. It is, however, not the only player in the industry; other companies are able to offer land-based gambling in this country as well.

There are currently four gambling jurisdictions in the country. In addition to PAGCOR and its new Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) licenses; the PCSO, CEZA, and APECO are authorized by the government to administer some forms of gambling.

This is quite an unusual situation since PAGCOR regulates their smaller competitors, but so far, the arrangement has worked quite well in the Philippines.

Live Poker Venues in the Philippines

Live poker is popular in the country with over 20 poker rooms offering cash games and live tournaments on hundreds of tables, located in next to 60 casinos. Since there are no laws about how many table games a casino can offer, many of these poker rooms are quite large. Also, one of the upsides of having casinos regulated by PAGCOR is that they apply the same rake rules. It is 10% of the pot capped at PHP300 in 25/50 games, PHP400 in 50/100 games and PHP500 in 100/200 games. Additionally, many casinos have a no tip policy. PAGCOR is also vigilant concerning cheating; players found cheating are blacklisted nationwide.

No Limit Hold’em (NLHE) is widely available, but you can also find some other games such as Omaha or Open Face Chinese Poker (OFC). Although there are 33 cities with gambling facilities in the Philippines, Manila is definitely the center of the poker scene. There, Resorts World and Solaire usually get the highest limits (PHP200/400 – $4/$8) whilst clubs like Metro Card Club hosts smaller games (PHP 50/100). The other two poker destinations in the Philippines are Angeles and Cebu, the 2nd largest city. In Angeles City, you will find two main poker rooms on the Walking Street: Wild Aces and Double Aces. Concerning Cebu, your best bet is the Waterfront Casino.

PAGCOR’s biggest project to date is the Las Vegas-style complex in Bay City, Metro Manila called “The Entertainment City” which occupies 8km2 of the Manila Bay area and is home to international resort & casino brands like City of Dreams Manila, Resorts World Bayshore, Solaire Resort & Casino, and the newly built Okada Manila & Westside City. Expected to open in 2020, Entertainment City will offer 5,000 hotel rooms, enough to accommodate well over a million visitors each year.

The Philippines are very popular when it comes to international live events. It is home to APL, APT and APPT stops, with the addition of their own domestic tour, the Philippine Poker Tour.

Google Map

Venues in Philippines

2Ace Poker Manila
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityManila
Phone+63 (917) 722 8667
Email
APF Poker Room
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityManila
Phone+63 (917) 528 2787
Email
City of Dreams Manila
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityMetro Manila
Phone+63 (2) 8800-8080
Metro Card Club
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityPasig City, Manila
Phone+63 (2) 8633 1422
Okada Manila
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityManila
Phone+63 (2) 8888 0777
Poker8 Cebu
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityMandaue City
Phone+63 (918) 981 8888
Resorts World Manila
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityPasay 1309, Metro Manila
Phone+63 (2) 7908 8888
Royce Hotel & Casino
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityPampanga
Phone+63 (45) 499 7888
Solaire Resort & Casino
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityParañaque City, Manila
Phone+63 (2) 8883 8920
Wild Aces Poker Club
CountryPhilippinesPhilippines [PHL]
CityAngeles
Phone+63 (045) 322 6311

Events at Philippines

Philippines related news

Asian Poker Tour Announces Core Schedule of Live Events for 2025

Asian Poker Tour Announces Core Schedule of Live Events for 2025

It was yet another thrilling and very successful year for Asia's fastest growing live poker tour in 2024, as the Asian Poker Tour raised the bar across five
yesterday at 9:55 PM
Local Grinder Richard Marquez Crowned Manila Megastack 20 Main Event Champion

Local Grinder Richard Marquez Crowned Manila Megastack 20 Main Event Champion

In a final table stacked with player stories, it was Day 2 chip leader Richard Marquez who prevailed and hoisted the trophy at the end, becoming PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack 20 Main Event Champion adding a 3rd final table finish in just one week, but by far the biggest cash with PHP 3,713,920 (~US$ 64,141).
last Monday at 2:38 AM
Defending Champion William Ysmael In Final 9 Of Manila Megastack 20 Main Event

Defending Champion William Ysmael In Final 9 Of Manila Megastack 20 Main Event

In just under eight hours of play, Day 2 of the PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack 20 Main Event saw the 77 player field trim down to the final 9 with four
last Sunday at 12:24 AM
Manila Megastack 20: Jonald Garcia Commands 77 Main Event Day 2 Qualifiers; Raymundo Gomez Wins Megastack Turbo

Manila Megastack 20: Jonald Garcia Commands 77 Main Event Day 2 Qualifiers; Raymundo Gomez Wins Megastack Turbo

The last two flights of the PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack 20 concluded at the world class Okada Manila in the Philippines and driving his stack to the top
last Saturday at 6:46 AM
Manila Megastack 20: Francisco Sanchez Rules Main Event Day 1B; Sehoon Jin Leads Megastack Turbo

Manila Megastack 20: Francisco Sanchez Rules Main Event Day 1B; Sehoon Jin Leads Megastack Turbo

The 20th edition of the PokerStars LIVE Manila Megastack ran another Main Event entry flight with Day 1B  under the spotlight on December 5, 2024 at Okada Manila. Featuring a mighty guarantee of ₱20 Million (~US$ 340,500
12/06/2024
Manila Megastack 20: Hajduk Remigiusz Tops Main Event A; Florencio Campomanes Lands Second HR Win

Manila Megastack 20: Hajduk Remigiusz Tops Main Event A; Florencio Campomanes Lands Second HR Win

After a handful of nonstop pokr action, the Manila Megastack 20 reached its highlight tournament with the Main Event under the spotlight on December 4, 2024. Scheduled to run for five days, the ₱20 Million guarantee attracted 57 runners to Day 1A with 9 players advancing to ITM.
12/05/2024
Manila Megastack 20: Jeffrey Ponce Kills Two Aces With One King To Win Mystery Bounty

Manila Megastack 20: Jeffrey Ponce Kills Two Aces With One King To Win Mystery Bounty

On a swingy final three, Filipino player Jeffrey Ponce knocked out two players simultaneously to win the Manila Megastack 20 Mystery Bounty. This was Ponce's
12/04/2024
Manila Megastack 20: Ryan Tan Leads 30 Flight Survivors Into Mystery Bounty Day 2

Manila Megastack 20: Ryan Tan Leads 30 Flight Survivors Into Mystery Bounty Day 2

The 20th edition of the Manila Megastack continued with another set of games running at Okada Manila in the Philippines. The highlight of Day 4 was the
12/03/2024
Keijiro Shimojo Crowned Manila Megastack 20 Kick Off Champion, Janno Alvarez Tops Mystery Bounty A

Keijiro Shimojo Crowned Manila Megastack 20 Kick Off Champion, Janno Alvarez Tops Mystery Bounty A

Starting the final day as chip leader, Japan's Keijiro Shimojo continued to play solid poker throughout to clinch the Manila Megastack 20 Kick Off event and
12/02/2024
Keijiro Shimojo Leads In Final 50 Players Of Manila Megastack 20 Kick Off Event

Keijiro Shimojo Leads In Final 50 Players Of Manila Megastack 20 Kick Off Event

Sign of great games ahead as the 20th edition of the Manila Megastack  wrapped up its second day at Okada Manila in Manila, Philippines with the Kick Off event smashing its ₱3M guarantee. Across three flights, the event attracted 377 entries,
12/01/2024
CapitalManila
Population103,279,800
CurrencyPhilippine peso [PHP] ₱
TimezoneUTC+08:00
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