PAGCOR self-exclusion: complete guide for Filipino players
The PAGCOR self-exclusion program is a free, government-run tool that bans you from every licensed gambling venue in the Philippines at once. This guide covers how to apply via OSEA or in person, the 6-month to 5-year options, what the program covers, and how to get support.
If the thought of “one more bet” has started to feel less like a choice and more like a compulsion — or if you are watching a family member lose control at the gaming table — the PAGCOR self-exclusion program gives you a concrete way to act. It is a free, confidential tool administered by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation that registers your name on a national database, locking you out of every licensed gambling venue in the Philippines at once. No lawyer. No court order. No medical clearance required. Just a government-issued ID, a completed form, and a decision.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 308 Filipinos filed exclusion applications with PAGCOR — a 316 percent increase compared to the same quarter the year before. Of those, 258 were self-exclusions. That growth reflects something important: more people are learning this option exists, and more are choosing to use it. This guide walks through exactly how the program works, what both applicants — the player and the concerned family member — need to prepare, and what the process looks like when the exclusion period eventually ends.
Table of contents
- What is the PAGCOR self-exclusion program?
- The two paths: self-exclusion vs family exclusion
- How to apply, step by step
- What self-exclusion covers — and what it does not
- Removing yourself from the list after the period ends
- Where to get help right now
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
What is the PAGCOR self-exclusion program?
The PAGCOR self-exclusion program is part of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice. It is the strongest formal player-protection tool currently available in the Philippines: once an application is accepted, your identity is registered in the National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP) — a centralised list that every PAGCOR-licensed operator is required to check before allowing anyone to play.
The consequences of being on the NDRP are deliberate and comprehensive. Your existing accounts at licensed platforms are deactivated. Operators must stop sending you marketing communications. If you circumvent the ban and generate winnings while still on the list, those winnings are forfeited to the government rather than paid out to you. The system also runs real-time identity checks: any new registration attempt on a licensed Philippine gaming site will flag your name at the point of KYC verification.
Confidentiality is built into the program. PAGCOR and participating venues are prohibited from disclosing your application information to third parties without your consent or a legal obligation to do so. The program recognises that asking for help requires trust — and that trust has to be protected institutionally, not just promised.
Who can use it
Two distinct routes exist. The first — self-exclusion — is initiated by the player themselves, putting the timeline and the decision entirely in their own hands. The second — family exclusion — allows an immediate family member to apply on behalf of a relative they believe has a gambling problem. The minimum legal gambling age in the Philippines is 21, and the program is available to anyone who has reached that threshold. A child filing a family exclusion on behalf of a parent must themselves be at least 18 years old.
The two paths: self-exclusion vs family exclusion
Both types of exclusion are processed by PAGCOR’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department and produce the same outcome: your name — or your relative’s name — placed on the NDRP and recognised by every licensed casino, e-Games outlet, bingo hall, and online gaming platform in the Philippines. The differences lie in who files the application, who the ban targets, and the specific documentation required.
| Parameter | Self-exclusion | Family exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | The player themselves | Spouse, child (18+), or parent |
| Who it targets | The applicant | The respondent (the family member with the gambling problem) |
| Exclusion periods | 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years | Not separately published on official PAGCOR page [contact PAGCOR to confirm] |
| Irrevocability | First 6 months cannot be lifted early | Irrevocable for the full duration of the order |
| Key documents | Government photo ID + 2×2 photo + RG Form 2 | Government photo ID + 2×2 photo + RG Form 3 + proof of relationship + respondent's ID and photo |
| Governing form | RG Form 2 | RG Form 3 |
Self-exclusion (you apply for yourself)
Self-exclusion puts the decision — and the timeline — in your hands. You choose one of three periods when you submit your application: six months, one year, or five years. The first six months of any self-exclusion are irrevocable: PAGCOR will not process an early-termination request during this window, regardless of your circumstances at the time. This built-in pause is intentional — it gives the exclusion enough time to do its work.
After your chosen period expires, the exclusion does not simply disappear. It remains on the NDRP until you complete a formal reinstatement process (described in the section below). If, at the end of your period, you still want to stay excluded, you may extend by at least a further six months by re-submitting RG Form 2. The extension keeps the same protections in place without requiring you to start a new application from scratch.
Family exclusion (applying for a relative)
Family exclusion exists because problem gambling rarely affects only the gambler. A spouse, parent, or adult child (at least 18 years old) may file on behalf of a family member they believe needs protection. The respondent — the person being excluded — does not have to consent; PAGCOR’s acceptance of the family member’s application is sufficient to activate the order.
The exclusion takes effect irrevocably for its full duration. One important note: while PAGCOR’s published documentation specifies the eligible applicants and required forms clearly, the distinct exclusion-period tiers for family applications are not explicitly confirmed on the official page at the time this guide was prepared. We recommend contacting PAGCOR directly — via the OSEA portal or at the Pasay City office — to confirm the available periods before you file. Proof of relationship is mandatory in all cases: a PSA-authenticated birth certificate or marriage contract must accompany the application, along with the respondent’s photo ID and a recent 2×2 photo.
How to apply, step by step
PAGCOR provides three submission channels. Whichever route you choose, the documentary requirements are the same — having everything in order before you start prevents delays and avoids having your application returned for incompleteness.
Channels
Online via the OSEA portal. The Online Self-Exclusion Application portal at osea.pagcor.ph is the fastest route for most applicants. You create an account, upload the required documents, and complete identity verification through a real-time selfie or video call. The portal provides guided instructions at each step, and an information hub is also available at pagcor.ph/regulatory/exclusion2.php.
In person or by courier. If you prefer a physical submission, deliver or mail your application in a sealed long brown envelope clearly marked “APPLICATION FOR EXCLUSION ORDER — Gaming Licensing and Development Department.” The receiving address is:
PAGCOR Corporate Office
MET Live Building, Central Business Park 1-A
Macapagal Boulevard cor. EDSA Extension
Pasay City 1300, Metro Manila
A lobby drop box is available for walk-in submissions. Please note that an earlier PAGCOR address in Vertis North, Quezon City, circulates on some websites but is no longer the correct submission point — use the Pasay City address above.
On-site at a licensed venue. RG Form 2 (self-exclusion) and RG Form 3 (family exclusion) are available at PAGCOR-operated and regulated gaming sites. An accredited Responsible Gaming counsellor at any venue can walk you through the requirements or facilitate a referral to the appropriate channel.
Documents and verification
For self-exclusion, prepare the following before submitting:
- One valid government-issued photo ID
- One fully accomplished RG Form 2 (available at osea.pagcor.ph or at any licensed venue)
- One 2×2 photo taken within the past six months
For family exclusion (RG Form 3), all of the above apply, plus:
- Proof of relationship: PSA-authenticated birth certificate or marriage contract
- The respondent’s valid government-issued photo ID
- A recent 2×2 photo of the respondent
Identity is verified at the point of submission. Non-personal applications — those submitted online or by courier — include a real-time selfie or video call step to confirm identity. Incomplete applications are not processed; any submission missing a required item will be returned without action. Download the current forms directly from pagcor.ph/regulatory/exclusion2.php to ensure you are working from the latest template before you print and fill them.
What self-exclusion covers — and what it does not
Understanding the scope of the NDRP exclusion is as important as knowing how to apply. The protection is broad within the licensed Philippine gaming ecosystem — but it has a defined boundary, and being clear about that boundary helps you plan accordingly.
What it covers (nationwide)
The NDRP ban is national and not venue-specific. It applies simultaneously across every facility that operates under a PAGCOR licence or permit, regardless of where the application was filed:
- Licensed online gaming platforms (Internet Gaming Licence holders, including BingoPlus and comparable IGL sites)
- PAGCOR-operated Casino Filipino branches across the country
- Integrated resort casinos: Solaire Resort and Casino, Okada Manila, Newport World Resorts, City of Dreams Manila, and NUSTAR Resort and Casino
- e-Games outlets and bingo parlours operating under PAGCOR authority
An exclusion filed in Pasay covers Cebu, Clark, Davao, and every other licensed venue simultaneously. Operators are required to check the NDRP before allowing a person to play; the system flags registration attempts in real time, so the protection is active the moment your application is accepted.
What it does not cover (the gap)
The NDRP cannot reach offshore or unlicensed gambling operators. These platforms are illegal in the Philippines under RA 12312, which ended offshore gaming (POGO/OOPC) operations, but they remain technically accessible from some Philippine devices and networks.
For those platforms, PAGCOR’s database provides no protection. If blocking offshore sites is part of your plan, device-level and network-level blocking software is the practical complement: Gamban and BetBlocker are the two most widely used options and can be installed on phones, tablets, and computers. The guide at /responsible-gaming/blocking-software/ explains how each tool works and how to set it up.
We want to be direct about this: PAGCOR self-exclusion is the most powerful tool available within the licensed Philippine ecosystem, and it should be the first step. But if offshore sites are part of the pattern, a blocking tool needs to be part of the plan as well.
Removing yourself from the list after the period ends
The exclusion does not lapse automatically the moment the clock runs out. After your chosen period ends, your name remains on the NDRP until PAGCOR completes a formal reinstatement review. The process requires active steps on your part — which is by design.
The first step is to submit a written Letter of Request to Lift Exclusion to the Gaming Licensing and Development Department. For exclusions of six months or one year, this letter is typically sufficient. PAGCOR applies a short cooling-off review — commonly around seven to fourteen days — before removing your name from the database and restoring your eligibility at licensed venues.
For five-year exclusions, the reinstatement process carries an additional requirement. PAGCOR may ask for a certification from a licensed psychologist or an accredited rehabilitation centre as evidence that the underlying issue has been addressed. This is not a punitive measure; it reflects the program’s intent to make sure the protection served its purpose before a person returns to gaming.
Two practical points worth keeping in mind. First, the first six months of any self-exclusion are irrevocable under all circumstances — no early-lifting request will be considered during that window. Second, do not assume the exclusion has been removed just because the stated period has elapsed. Confirm your NDRP status directly with PAGCOR before attempting to access any licensed venue.
Where to get help right now
Applying for self-exclusion is a meaningful decision, and it does not have to be made in isolation. PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming program operates alongside a network of counselling and mental health resources available to Filipino players and their families — free of charge.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with gambling, the following official helplines are available:
- Gamblers Anonymous Philippines — gamblersanonymous.ph | 0917-509-4080 (calls and messages)
- National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) crisis line — (02) 8531-9001
Accredited Responsible Gaming counsellors are also present at PAGCOR-operated venues. They can provide a face-to-face consultation, guide you through the application process on-site, or refer you to a specialist. Talking to someone who understands the issue — whether that is a counsellor, a peer support group, or a trusted family member — is often what turns a decision into a first step.
The tools are here. PAGCOR’s program, the helplines above, and the people at those venues exist precisely because this kind of support matters.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
The PAGCOR self-exclusion program is one of the most effective Responsible Gaming tools available to Filipino players — and to the families who stand beside them. It is free, confidential, and national in scope: a single application covers Casino Filipino branches, the integrated resorts, e-Games outlets, and every licensed online platform in the Philippines simultaneously. Choose the period that fits your situation — six months, one year, or five years — and apply through osea.pagcor.ph or the PAGCOR Corporate Office at the MET Live Building in Pasay City. For gambling sites outside the licensed Philippine ecosystem, complement your PAGCOR self-exclusion with a device-level blocking tool.
Gambling is intended for entertainment only and can be addictive. If you need support, Gamblers Anonymous Philippines (0917-509-4080) and the NCMH crisis line ((02) 8531-9001) are available at no cost. This guide provides general information; please confirm current documentary requirements at pagcor.ph/regulatory/exclusion2.php before submitting your application. Players must be 21 or older to gamble legally in the Philippines. Gambling is addictive — know when to stop.