Pagcor Approves GLI as First iGaming Testing Lab
Pagcor Approves GLI as First iGaming Testing Laboratory in the Philippines – New Accreditation Required for B2B Suppliers
Key Takeaways
- Pagcor has approved Gaming Laboratories International LLC as the first independent testing laboratory for iGaming in the Philippines.
- All iGaming B2B suppliers operating in the country must now be accredited to meet stricter regulatory and technical standards.
- GLI will apply its GLI-19: Standards for Interactive Gaming Systems when testing and certifying platforms.
- Pagcor states that the new framework is designed to protect players and support a sustainable regulated market.
Pagcor Names GLI as First Independent iGaming Testing Laboratory
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, known as Pagcor, has approved Gaming Laboratories International LLC as the first independent testing laboratory for iGaming in the Philippines. The decision formally authorizes GLI to test and certify interactive gaming systems operating in the country.
According to GLI, the accreditation allows the company to review iGaming platforms under a defined regulatory framework. The approval comes as Pagcor increases oversight of the country’s growing online gaming segment.
With this move, Pagcor introduces a structured testing requirement for technology providers that supply systems and services to licensed operators. GLI is the first laboratory to receive this designation under the updated framework.
New Accreditation Requirement for B2B Suppliers
Under the new rules set by Pagcor, all business to business suppliers involved in iGaming in the Philippines must obtain accreditation. This applies to companies that provide platforms, software, and related technical services to operators.
Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Alejandro Tengco stated that regulated gaming markets help ensure a safer and more sustainable industry. He added that Pagcor now requires all iGaming B2B suppliers operating in the Philippines to be accredited in order to comply with rigorous requirements designed to protect players.
For suppliers, this means that technical systems must undergo formal evaluation before they can be deployed or continue operating within the regulated environment. For operators and users, the framework introduces an additional compliance layer tied directly to system testing and certification.
GLI-19 Standard to Be Applied in Platform Testing
GLI confirmed that it will apply its GLI-19: Standards for Interactive Gaming Systems when assessing submissions in the Philippines. The company noted that this standard is already used in several jurisdictions.
GLI-19 covers requirements for interactive gaming systems, forming the technical basis for evaluating platform functionality and compliance. By applying this established standard, GLI aligns testing in the Philippines with a framework it uses elsewhere.
For B2B suppliers, this means that system architecture, security features, and operational processes will be reviewed according to the GLI-19 criteria before certification is granted. Accreditation therefore becomes directly linked to meeting documented technical benchmarks.
Statements From Pagcor and GLI Leadership
In commenting on the approval, Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco emphasized the role of regulation in strengthening market integrity. He stated that regulated gaming markets ensure a safer and more sustainable gaming industry for all participants.
Tengco further underlined that the accreditation requirement is intended to ensure compliance with strict standards aimed at protecting iGaming players.
GLI President and CEO James Maida thanked Pagcor for what he described as the trust it continues to place in the company. The statement reflects an ongoing working relationship between the regulator and the testing laboratory.
What the Decision Means for Operators and Users
The approval of GLI as an independent testing laboratory establishes a defined compliance pathway for iGaming suppliers in the Philippines. Operators relying on third party platforms or system providers will need to ensure that those suppliers obtain the required accreditation.
For users of online gaming services, the introduction of mandatory testing and certification signals that system integrity and regulatory compliance are being formally reviewed under a standardized process. The requirement applies at the supplier level rather than directly to individual players, but it shapes the technical environment in which platforms operate.
As Pagcor tightens oversight of online gaming, the accreditation framework creates a structured process for evaluating interactive systems before they are offered within the regulated market.
Our Assessment
Pagcor’s approval of Gaming Laboratories International LLC as the first independent iGaming testing laboratory introduces a mandatory accreditation requirement for B2B suppliers in the Philippines. All suppliers must now comply with stricter regulatory and technical standards, with GLI applying its GLI-19 framework during evaluations. The measure formalizes system testing and certification as part of Pagcor’s oversight of the online gaming sector and links supplier accreditation directly to player protection requirements.
