Online betting is very popular among both locals and foreigners in the Philippines. The sports betting industry is thriving as a result of recent technical developments and rising demand for a wider variety of betting options. Legal online sports betting is readily available on a wide variety of major sports, including soccer, football, volleyball, tennis, and many more.
With that in mind, we have produced this guide to the best betting sites in the Philippines, only recommending sites that we have personally tried and tested.
What Is an Online Bookmaker?
A sportsbook is a website where gamblers can make bets on their favorite sporting events against predefined odds. Sportsbooks are also commonly referred to as bookmakers or bookies.
An online bookmaker is a service that accepts bets on the results of sporting events. If you bet on an event and your prediction comes true, you will win the bet. You’ll lose your stake if you guess incorrectly.
Different sports provide different betting options. The best sports betting sites provide a wide selection of daily markets and futures for basketball, football, boxing, horse racing, and numerous other national and international sports.
History of Betting Sites in the Philippines
The Philippines has a thriving sports betting market that has seen explosive growth in recent years. Betting in the Philippines dates back to the time of Spanish colonial rule. Cockfighting was the most popular kind of betting in the old days. Since Ferdinand Marcos approved a bill legalizing gambling in 1975, gamblers have been free to enjoy their pastime.
The advent of the internet has allowed for a variety of new and exciting sports betting options. The Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation is the government agency responsible for issuing licenses to the vast majority of sports betting sites in the country (PAGCOR). Gambling in the Philippines is supervised and regulated by PAGCOR. The group not only runs its own casinos but also issues gambling licenses to individuals who wish to open betting establishments. In 2017, PAGCOR’s online betting revenues surpassed US$1.6 billion, which is an incredible amount.
There are currently no rules or restrictions in place in the Philippines that forbid citizens from participating in internet gambling. Many respectable overseas betting sites are available to Filipino bettors, all of which are governed and licensed by prestigious gambling commissions and regulatory bodies.
How to Choose the Right Betting Site
Look for the below factors while choosing the best betting site in the Philippines.
Check for Payout, Odds, and Lines
Betting odds and payout rates vary widely between online bookies, so it’s necessary to do some research before committing to one. The payout rate is the amount of a bet that a sportsbook will pay back to the bettor, netting them a profit. Better odds mean more money for the winners. Keep the above in mind as a general rule of thumb, and don’t be afraid to browse before placing your bets.
Check for Bonuses and Special Promotions
Whatever your betting style may be, we can all agree that a generous welcome bonus is a fantastic way to get started with a bookmaker. The best betting sites in the Philippines often offer several different sorts of bonuses. Deposit matches, free bets, bet credits, accumulators, and cashback are all examples.
Always read the fine print and find out what the wagering requirements are for a sportsbook bonus before claiming it.
Type of Bets Available
To stay competitive, several of the top betting sites in the Philippines provide their customers with a wide range of betting options. Always check if they provide a wide selection of bets, including basics like singles, parlays, lines, and exotics.
How to Start Betting at a Bookmaker
You can start betting at a bookmaker by following the easy steps below. These steps are common across all the top betting sites.
Registration
Choosing a brand is the first and most simple step. The criteria we covered before can help you make a well-informed choice. On the homepage of the bookmaker of your choice, click the Join or Register button. Enter your name, address, email, and birthdate.
Deposit
After signing up, all that’s left to do is fund your account with real money and begin betting. Make use of the bookie’s welcome bonus if one is available.
Placing Bets
Your account will be visible on the betting menu after you log in. Here, you must choose the type of bet you want to place. Online bets include Straight Bets, Teasers, Parlays, and Prop Bets. The bet amount and sports event you choose are entirely up to you. However, an online sportsbook will mention the minimum bet amount.
Bonuses You May Get at Philippines Betting Sites
In this section, we’ll explain the most popular sportsbook bonuses available in the Philippines:
Welcome Bonus
At almost every online gambling site, including sportsbooks and casinos, this is something you can expect. It’s a bonus to “welcome” you to the platform, as the name suggests. Usually, it’s a deposit match on your initial deposit or deposits up to a certain amount. For instance, the offer “100% match on first deposit up to $200” can be found on many betting sites.
Free Bets
Free bets are an exclusive promotion provided by online bookmakers, similar to how free spins are reserved for slot machines. Free bets can be thought of as betting vouchers that are valid on events that the bookmaker has predetermined.
For instance, you might receive free bets for €10 on an English Premier League game. As a result, you are permitted to bet up to €10 either individually or in combination.
Reload Bonus
By “reloading” your account, that is, making additional deposits, you are eligible for this bonus. Reload bonuses are given to current players and are typically provided when there has been a break in betting. The specific requirements differ from operator to operator and from country to country.
Boosted Odds
This is one of several promotions offered by online sportsbooks that is unique to this paradigm. To surprise the bettors, the bookmakers will generally increase the odds on a specific event. The details are released just before the event is set to begin.
Top 5 Philippines Sports Betting Sites
It can be difficult to find reliable Philippine sports betting sites. We’ve assembled a list of the newest and greatest betting sites in the Philippines below to assist in your selection.
PNXBET
PNXBet has shown Filipino bettors that despite the fact that it is young, it can compete with the greatest online betting companies in the Philippines. This 2019 bookie has become a trusted brand for sports betting in the Philippines.
22BET
22Bet is a top sportsbook in the Philippines. It was founded in 2017 with a Curacao license. Bettors from the Philippines have free access to 22Bet’s events and markets. 22Bet sportsbook users can bet on football, NBA, rugby, and other sports through desktop or custom apps.
GGBET
GGBet is one of the prominent esports and CSGO betting sites that also provide a wide range of sports betting choices. Fans can bet on 20 sports, including football, baseball, and tennis. Their website details betting markets and match results. Also, they have real-time statistics, which are great for betting lovers.
MSW
MegaSportsWorld is a popular online betting site in the Philippines. The website is fast and attractive, with live betting and several sports betting options. However, it lacks esports selections.
MELBET
Melbet is a leading Filipino bookmaker that first debuted in 2012. This sports betting platform offers several betting options in over 40 countries. Since launching, they’ve added casino, bingo, tote, live gaming, sports, and in-play betting for Filipinos and Asians.
Sports Betting Apps for iOS and Android
The mobile betting options provided by your chosen sportsbook are worth investigating if you’d rather place bets from your mobile phone. The majority of online bookmakers now support mobile betting. These are compatible with both iOS and Android. Most sportsbooks these days have mobile-friendly websites that can be accessed from any web browser, including those on smartphones and tablets.
Users can access all of the same functionality on mobile devices as they can on desktop and laptop computers, thanks to the way mobile-optimized websites are designed. Check out our detailed reviews on MSW, Melbet, GGbet, 22bet, and PNXbet mobile apps by clicking on the links.
Deposits and Withdrawals Methods
Let’s take a look at the best way for Filipino players to deposit and withdraw funds.
Help2pay
The number of online bookmakers who accept Help2pay is constantly expanding. The Help2Pay service provides a quick and safe way to make deposits to your favorite online sports betting sites. They also offer round-the-clock assistance to their customers.
Bank Transfer
Bank transfer is still one of the most popular payment methods among bettors. It is a reliable option for funding and accessing your online betting account. Although bank transfers are not the quickest payment option, they are still viable and should be considered.
Credit/Debit Cards
This is the most popular and widely recognized method for online payment, especially at betting sites. No matter where you live, you can use your credit or debit card to deposit and withdraw funds from an online casino if online gambling is permitted in your country.
Gcash
Gcash is one of the best ways to transfer money to the top betting sites or to cash-out victories. Make sure you deposit at least the minimum required amount at each betting site using Gcash balance.
Types of Sports Betting in PH
Below are some of the many sports betting types offered by PH bookmakers.
Money Line
The Moneyline is the most common and convenient type of bet. It’s a bet on the winning team.
Point Spread
Betting with a point spread is another famous betting type offered by bookmakers. You bet on the margin of victory of a team when using a spread. For example, a minus sign suggests a favorite, while a plus sign implies an underdog.
Total Line Bets
In this form of bet, the total points scored by both sides are assigned a point value, and the bettor must predict whether the final score will be “under” or “above” that amount. In football and basketball, the total can sometimes be bet upon during each half of the game.
Parlay Bets
A parlay is a bet in which two or more picks are combined into a single stake. It can be as few as two separate picks, up to the maximum number of selections allowed by a given bookmaker (10-12 picks)
FAQ
Do I have to pay tax on my betting winnings?
All PAGCOR winnings are taxable. Wins up to 10,000 PHP are taxed at 10%. Wins exceeding 10,000 PHP are taxed at 20%.
What are popular sports to bet on in the Philippines?
Basketball betting, cockfighting, and boxing are popular in the Philippines. In addition to the above, baseball, tennis, sepak takraw, and esports are popular among bettors in the country.
Is betting illegal in the Philippines?
No, it’s not. PAGCOR regulates all gambling in the country. Yet, the Philippines is home to many underground cockpits that are held to facilitate illegal gambling.
What’s the fastest withdrawal procedure in the Philippines?
E-wallets are the fastest, but this varies by operator.
Can I bet online from another country in the Philippines?
Yes, you can use a VPN to access other sportsbooks. This lets you surf the web as if in another nation.
