PAGCOR caps online gaming rebates at 1.5% and cashback at 15% (May 2026 memo)

Source: PAGCOR's own memorandum (a scanned PDF we read page by page), with press coverage for context. Updated 27 October 2026.

PAGCOR's Electronic Gaming Licensing Department issued a memorandum dated 7 May 2026, approved by the PAGCOR Board that day, addressed to gaming system administrators, integrated resort licensees, gaming venue operators, affiliates and support service providers. It limits the cash incentives operators may give players. Press coverage: iGamingToday and iGamingBusiness (both 11 May 2026).

The caps

• Cash rebates: up to 1.50% of player turnover (gross bets placed) or deposits, for slot machine games, electronic bingo, numeric games and sports betting, except casino table games and arcade-type games.
• Cashback: up to 15% of a player's net losses, for all types of electronic games.
• Approval: operators must submit EG Form No. 28 to the EGLD for approval first; each programme must state tiers (minimum deposit, turnover or wagering requirement, rate, maximum amount) and conditions. Programmes without approval or above the rate face regulatory action.
• Effect: iGamingBusiness described the caps as effective immediately; the memo itself lets older approved programmes run to their end date or 15 May 2026, whichever came first.
• Transition: non-compliant programmes approved earlier could run only until their approved end or 15 May 2026, whichever came first.
• Combining: rebates and cashback cannot be combined with other promotional cash incentives in a way that exceeds the maximum.
• Other games: PAGCOR reviews proposals for other categories individually and sets rates based on return-to-player levels.
• Accounting: rebates and cashback are marketing expenses, not gaming losses, and are excluded from gross gaming revenue.

What it means for players

Promises of rebates or cashback above these rates on a site that claims to be PAGCOR-licensed are a warning sign. See our free 100 and bonus guide, the turnover explainer and how to verify a site. Rebates are small by design; they are not a way to recover losses. 21+ only; help: 02-8248-9568.