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The Philippines is a nation of sports enthusiasts and gamblers who enjoy betting on their favorite teams and events. Whether it is horse racing, basketball, cockfighting, soccer, tennis, or any other sport, Filipinos have many options to place their bets at Xgtiger Casino online. But how do you choose the best betting site for your needs? What are the features and benefits of different bookmakers and betting exchanges? How can you get the most value out of your bets and bonuses? In this article, we will review some of the best sports betting sites in the Philippines for 2023 and give you some tips and advice on how to bet smart and safe.
Introduction
Gambling has existed in the Philippines for longer than anyone can remember. Some believe that gambling came to the archipelago with the Spanish. There are more than 100 physical bookmakers shops in the Philippines operated by Mega Sports World. It is a state-run monopoly run by the licensing body PAGCOR. However, individual stores have some degree of autonomy. This ensures that you will still receive decent odds if you choose to bet on these locations.
PAGCOR also oversees and licenses other land-based gambling. These include poker rooms, bingo parlors, casinos, and eGames, unique to the Philippines. eGames locations feature several terminals that allow you to play casino games or bingo.
Interesting Facts About Betting in the Philippines
- The country’s gambling regulator, PAGCOR, has been in existence for over 50 years. This means that the Philippines is one of the first countries to address gambling in this way.
- The current president of the Philippines does not approve of online gambling.
- Passed in 1995, a law enacted to create the Cagayan Freeport entered the statute books. Unfortunately, the intended casinos were never built. The relevant CEZA gaming regulator was more successful. Many gambling sites in Asia are now licensed by CEZA.
- Philippine banking systems are as good as any in the Western World. This means that Filipinos receive fast withdrawals in any form of payment from offshore operators.
- Cockfightinghave long been banned in most other countries. These types of gambling are still legal and popular in the Philippines.
- In 2017, a gunman killed or injured dozens of people at the Resorts World Manila complex. He then moved into a storage area with the intention of stealing casino chips. Preliminary evidence pointed strongly to terrorist attacks, for which ISIL claimed responsibility. Despite this, the incident was later officially linked to a financial motive and a disgruntled gambler.
Gambling Law
Gambling was not included in any Philippine law until 1975. The President, Ferdinand Marcos, created the first Filipino gambling law. Known as Decree No. 1067-a, this law officially legalized gambling for the first time.
Decree No. 1067-a created the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The regulation specifically mentions which forms of gambling entertainment are legal. As with any broad law, it’s not perfect the first time. It requires some modifications to make it fit for purpose. The Philippine government has also made some more changes over time. This is to ensure that the law continues to respond to new forms of gambling.
A brief summary of recent amendments to Decree No. 1067-a follows:
- 2017 – Executive Order (No. 13): The order allows Filipino residents new capabilities regarding online gambling. In particular, Filipinos can place bets on regulated, legal offshore gambling sites. The law also places new limits on domestic operators. Filipino companies may not offer online gambling services to residents of the Philippines.
- 2017 – Republic Act (No. 10927) strengthens the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 by including gambling services. This law prohibits large bets and payouts.
- 2019 – House Bill 8910 was created to regulate online cockfighting. It is known locally as e-cocktail.
These changes and laws may seem irrelevant to those outside the Philippines. For local residents, however, they are important to know. For those thinking of visiting the Philippines to gamble, the rules are very simple. Land-based casinos and poker rooms are all over the country. The current president in 2021 does not approve of online gambling but does not enforce restrictions.
Competition between Operators
There is no competition between the state-run monopoly PAGCOR and offshore gambling sites. This is because the two entities offer different products. Offshore companies provide more markets and betting lines than PAGCOR. PAGCOR knows there is no point in trying to compete this way. They don’t yet have technology like in-play betting or live streaming available.
As for competition between offshore operators, it is difficult to judge. All of them offer great bonus deals to Filipino players. There are no clear signs that any particular operator is trying to corner the market.
Bonuses from Filipino Bookmakers
The PAGCOR service does not usually offer bonuses because they do not have an online casino presence. Occasionally they offer special promotions in their betting shops, though. Offshore operators tend to provide different types of new player bonuses.
Free bets and sign-up bonuses for Filipino players are common among sportsbook sites that accept players from this region. Reload prizes are also regularly offered. Bettors can expect seasonal and special bonuses usually tied to big sports events. You should check individual sportsbooks to find current betting bonuses and promotions, as they change over time. You can also refer to our updated table, as well.
Conclusion
Are you an avid gaming fan and want to know how to bet on online casino games? At Xgtiger, you’ll get the latest information on this year’s best casino games and a variety of gaming options, all in one place.
To start your online gambling journey, all you need to do is create an account on the site, deposit funds and you’ll be ready to bet on the best and most anticipated casino games.
Frequently asked questions
The best online casino bonuses in India depend on your preferences and needs. Some of the factors you should consider are the amount, percentage, wagering requirement, expiration date, and eligible bonus games. You should also compare different bonuses and read their terms and conditions carefully before claiming them.
Yes, you can withdraw your winnings from an online casino bonus, but only after you meet the bonus wagering requirement. The wagering requirement is the number of times you have to wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings from it. The wagering requirement can vary from 10x to 100x depending on the casino and bonus.