Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 2949

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE JANICE V. DEGAMO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Online gambling in the Philippines has evolved into a fast-growing, multi-billion-peso
industry, enabled by the accessibility of smartphones, e-wallets, and internet connectivity. While
the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) plays a regulatory role, the
current system remains dangerously porous, allowing users to create gambling accounts, deposit
money, and participate in games simply by clicking a box that says they are of legal age. This
practice is not only outdated, it is reckless.

Across the country, there are increasing reports of minors accessing gambling sites, and
vulnerable individuals spending beyond their means. While Know-Your-Customer (KYC)
verification is technically required before withdrawals, this is far too late in the user journey. By
the time identity is verified, the harm, financial, psychological, or social, may already be done.

This bill secks to close this critical loophole by requiring that all PAGCOR-licensed
gambling platforms implement mandatory KYC verification before any account can be created.
This includes uploading a valid government-issued ID, submitting a facial image, and verifying
age before a user can access gambling features or deposit funds.

By tightening the KYC process at the very beginning, this measure strengthens the
country’s compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act, protects national security, and
affirms the governments commitment to consumer safety, responsible gaming, and ethical
governance. This legislation does not prohibit gambling. It simply demands that gambling be
conducted safely, responsibly, and transparently, in a manner that upholds public trust and
national interest.

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._2949

Introduced by HONORABLE JANICE V. DEGAMO

AN ACT
MANDATING KNOW-YOUR-CUSTOMER (KYC) VERIFICATION PRIOR TO
ACCOUNT CREATION ON ALL ONLINE GAMBLING PLATFORMS LICENSED BY
PAGCOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory Pre-Registration KYC for
Gambling Platforms Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect the welfare of
Filipinos citizens, particularly minors, vulnerable individuals, and the financially at-risk, by
ensuring robust safeguards in all gambling activities, especially online. The State shall require
strict identity verification protocols at the point of account creation to prevent anonymous access,
underage gambling, and fraud.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act:
a. PAGCOR refers to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation;

b. Online Gambling Platform refers to any website, mobile application, or digital portal
licensed by PAGCOR that offers games of chance, betting, or wagering activities;

c. Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Verification refers to the process of verifying the true
identity and age of an individual through government-issued identification and
supporting documents;

d. User Account refers to a registered profile created by a user to access gambling services.

Section 4. Mandatory KYC Prior to Account Creation, All PAGCOR-licensed online
gambling platforms shall require the completion of a KYC process before a user is allowed to
create or access a gambling account. This process shall include:

a. Uploading a valid government-issued photo ID;


b. Submission of a clear facial image/selfie to match the ID provided;
©. Validation of the user’s date of birth to ensure legal gambling age;
d. Optional address and occupation verification if required by PAGCOR or AMLC rules.

Section 5. Prohibited Practices. It shall be unlawful for a PAGCOR-licensed online
‘gambling operator to:

a. Allow users to create an account without prior KYC verification;
b. Permit deposits or access to any gambling feature prior to KYC approval;
c. Bypass KYC through “click-to-confirm-age” disclaimers or pop-ups.

Section 6. Penalties. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act shall result in the
following penalties:

a. For the first offense a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00)
and a written warning;

b. For the second offense a fine of One Million Pesos (P1,00,000.00) and a fifteen (15) day
suspension of online gambling operations;

c. For the third offense the revocation of the gambling operators license and blacklisting
from future PAGCOR accreditation.

Section 7. Role of PAGCOR. PAGCOR shall issue, within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the guidelines and technical standards for digital KYC procedures, data
protection compliance, and verification turnaround time.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, PAGCOR, in consultation with the National Privacy Commission (NPC)
and the Anti-Money-Laundering Council (AMLC), shall issue the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR).

Section 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,