2024 Philippines Legal Online Poker

Online poker is one of the most popular forms of online gambling available on the web and with increasing interest, it is easy to see why people are looking for legal online poker sites in the Philippines. The Philippines enjoy numerous brick-and-mortar casinos and card rooms, especially in the Manila area. While land-based card rooms are available in the Philippines, there are players who prefer to access their gambling entertainment through legally sanctioned online websites. This guide will help answer questions about the legality of Filipino online poker, what games are available, online bonuses and which offshore poker sites accept players from the Philippines.

Site NameBonus OfferPayout SpeedPHPlay Link
Online Poker Sites
Betonline100% Max $1,00024-48 HoursPlay Now
Sports Betting100% Max $1,00048 HoursPlay Now

Is Online Poker Legal In The Philippines?Lawbook

Yes, online poker is legal to Filipino residents though offshore online gambling sites. It was officially stated by officials that there are no Filipino gambling laws that make it illegal for residents of the Philippines to wager online. In addition, for the most part, the gambling laws in the Philippines address the operators of gambling businesses and not the players. For example, it is illegal for a domestic online gambling site in the Philippines to recruit or accept local residents as customers. The burden is on the business to make sure Filipinos do not partake of their services.

Are Brick-and-Mortar Poker Rooms Legal In The Philippines?

Yes, Filipino players can play at any of the brick-and-mortar casinos and poker rooms located around the islands. All gambling operations and casinos are licensed and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or the Cagayan Freeport Economic Zone and give players a sense of security when playing in the Philippines. Some of the top-rated land-based casinos with poker rooms available for tourists and residents are listed here below.

City of Dreams Manila
Resorts World Manila
Okada Manila
Thunderbird Resort and Casino
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

Which Poker Games Are Available Online?

Online players can access multiple poker games. You might notice subtle differences in the games at the various offshore gambling sites, but for the most part, the rules and the gameplay remain consistent across the board. Here are some popular variations that you are likely to see online.

  • Texas Hold’Em
  • Omaha
  • Stud
  • Horse
  • Caribbean Stud
  • And many others

Are There Poker Bonuses Available To Philippine Players?

Yes, there are a few different types of poker bonuses available. Each site is different in the way they reward their VIP players but there are some common bonuses that a potential player should look out for when selecting their Philippines friendly online gambling deposit method.

Welcome Bonus / Sign up Bonus – a welcome bonus is a reward online poker rooms use to get players to sign up. They usually offer to match a percentage of a player’s initial deposit. You will see it looks something like this: 75% match up to $2500. If this were an offer – the gambling site would be agreeing to match 75% of your deposit up to a maximum of $2500.

Free Tournament Entries – Free tournament entries are often tied to welcome, loyalty or re-load promotions and offers to waive player fees to an online tournament hosted by the website.

No Deposit Bonus – In this offer, the gambling site will provide a bonus that does not require a deposit.

Loyalty Programs – A major factor that mainly poker sites utilize. Reward schemes for frequent players often include Comp points that can be redeemed for cash, prizes and more, larger bonuses, free tournament entry, free merchandise.

Re-load Bonuses – This bonus is a percentage applied to a players account when they make additional deposits. It is usually structured and awarded the same way the welcome bonus is.

Special Promotions – These offers cover a wide range of bonuses that fall into the ‘other’ category. They can include bad beat jackpots, leader-board bonuses, tournament entrance, special tournament events, and an endless host of other options.

There are wagering requirements associated with these offers. Also – they work a little differently than casino bonuses. Poker bonuses are released incrementally into your account. The more you play, the more of your bonus is released.

Can I Play Poker For Free Online?

Yes, most of the time there is some type of free play option available at Philippine online gambling sites.  We encourage you to take advantage of this feature. It allows you to try a gambling site out to see how you like it without risking anything. It also is an ideal way to learn how to play a new game or to try out a new playing strategy. Free play is also a great way to become acquainted with the online gaming interface and game functionality. If the website you are playing on does not offer free play options (sometimes they don’t because of the multi-player interaction features) then free-roll tournaments are always an option. These games do not require a buy-in and allow you to get your feet wet without risking anything. You also have the chance to win some money with these games.

Are There Mobile Poker Sites That Accept Filipino Players?

Yes, there are several mobile gambling sites available to Filipino players. Most mobile gambling sites are web-based mobile-optimized applications that require no additional downloads. These sites use responsive technology to ensure cross brand and network compatibility for the rendering of a perfect user interface regardless of the device you are using.

How Can I Fund My Poker Account?

Offshore gambling sites offer multiple ways of funding your account. Our suggested brands offer these Philippine friendly deposit methods.

  • Credit/Debit Card
  • Prepaid Cards
  • Cashier’s Check’s
  • Wire Transfer
  • E-Wallets
  • Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies

How Do I Know If An Online Poker Sites Is Legitimate?

We have scrutinized our recommended sites to ensure that they are legally licensed, regulated and compliance certified by their local regulatory agencies. Verifying credentials and legitimacy is the first step we take in evaluating any type of online gambling site. Not only must a site be operating legally within the industry, but they also must utilize an advanced security profile that effectively protects sensitive player data and transactions. We evaluate the quality of their services as well, from both a player perspective and as industry professionals.

Playing Poker in Manila

The first PAGCOR casino in the Philippines was a floating casino located in the Manila Bay and it opened in 1977. Manila City has the most casinos in all the Philippines, currently around 20 and is the best place for live games. Most all the casinos are located in or around the Manila Bay and are owned and operated by PAGCOR. Some nights you can find as many as 400 games taking place throughout all the casinos and card rooms. Manila City and Metropolitan Manila are home to many poker tournaments and a quick internet search will show you just how popular the game is in Manila, Philippines. We have also created a handy guide to Philippine legal online casinos & Philippine legal sports betting sites for our readers looking to play online poker, sports betting, Philippine legal horse betting or other casino sites.