Casino Plus Confirms PHP1bn Surety Bond for Player Protection
Casino Plus confirmed on Monday a PHP1bn ($16.2m) surety bond backed by Philippines First Insurance Company as a financial safeguard for online players in the Philippines. The bond covers confirmed deposits and verified player balances, and the operator says it aligns with the regulatory framework of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
CEO Evan Spytma said the bond demonstrates the company’s commitment to player protection, financial discipline, and accountability.
Subject to its terms and conditions, the bond acts as a financial backstop if covered obligations are unmet. The Manila Times reported that Casino Plus launched the bond last year, though neither source detailed the exact claim process available to players.
Spytma tied the announcement to broader consumer concerns and noted that Filipinos now pay closer attention to where they place their money amid higher household costs. That context matters: the announcement comes as the Philippine gaming sector reports weaker first-quarter results.
PAGCOR reported Q1 gross gaming revenue of PHP87.60bn, down 15.9% year-on-year. Electronic gaming revenue fell 22.4% over the same period, though the segment still accounted for around 45.6% of total GGR.
Beyond the bond, the operator said it dedicates resources to KYC protocols, customer support, and responsible gambling controls. The company also stated that gambling should remain a form of entertainment rather than a source of income or financial relief.
A precedent for this model came from DigiPlus Interactive, which launched a surety bond programme in partnership with PhilFirst in September 2025. DigiPlus described that programme as the first of its kind in the Philippines
and said it covered player balances of up to PHP1m per player, with no requirement for users to purchase a separate policy.
TGJ Take
Casino Plus uses financial protection as a trust signal at a time when the Philippine online market faces both weaker e-gaming revenue and stricter consumer scrutiny. For operators, surety bonds may shift from a differentiator to a baseline credibility requirement, particularly as PAGCOR tightens its
approach to online gambling oversight. Affiliates that drive traffic to Philippine brands should verify whether their partners hold comparable financial safeguards. Those that do will be easier to promote than those dependent on bonus-led messaging alone.
