Philippine Regulator Orders Casinos to Tighten Anti-Money Laundering Controls After Risk Review

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-21

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has told all licensed gaming operators to take a hard look at their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing safeguards. This comes after a recent sector-wide review uncovered serious financial crime risks across the country's casino industry. PAGCOR sent out the directive through an advisory on July 13. It followed board approval of its second Casino Sector Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Risk Assessment on June 25. That assessment looked at conditions between 2021 and 2024. It classified money-laundering risk in the Philippine casino sector as significant. ### Why This Matters Now This isn't just bureaucratic paperwork. For casino operators in the Philippines, it's a wake-up call. The review found that the industry's exposure to financial crime is higher than previously thought. That means regulators are watching more closely than ever. Think about it this way: casinos handle huge amounts of cash every day. That makes them attractive targets for people trying to clean dirty money. When a regulator like PAGCOR raises the alarm, it usually means changes are coming fast. ### What Operators Need to Do Licensed casinos now have to step up their game. Here's what that looks like: - Reassess their current anti-money laundering procedures from top to bottom - Strengthen customer due diligence processes, especially for high-value players - Improve transaction monitoring systems to catch suspicious activity earlier - Train staff more thoroughly on spotting red flags - Report any suspicious transactions to the authorities without delay This isn't optional. Operators who don't comply could face serious consequences, including fines or even losing their license. ### The Bigger Picture The Philippines has been working hard to clean up its reputation when it comes to financial crime. International bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have put the country on notice before. This latest move by PAGCOR shows they're serious about staying off any grey lists. For casino operators, this means more paperwork and more oversight. But it also means a cleaner, more trustworthy industry in the long run. And that benefits everyone—players, operators, and the country's economy. ### What's Next? Expect more audits and inspections in the coming months. PAGCOR has made it clear they won't tolerate slackers. Operators should start reviewing their compliance programs now if they haven't already. "The casino sector must remain vigilant," a PAGCOR spokesperson said in the advisory. "We will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to meet their obligations." For US professionals working in the Mexican casino market, this is a reminder that regulatory scrutiny is increasing worldwide. Whether you're in Manila, Mexico City, or Las Vegas, anti-money laundering compliance is becoming a top priority. ### Final Thoughts The days of lax oversight in the casino industry are numbered. Regulators everywhere are getting tougher. If you're in the business, now is the time to double-check your controls and make sure you're ready for what's coming. This move by PAGCOR might seem like just another regulation, but it's a sign of things to come. Stay ahead of the curve, or risk getting left behind.