Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
Expert opinion
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) administers the special economic zone in the Philippines. This organization's essence is to provide accreditation and licensing for foreign enterprises that want to work in the region. It is important to note that this administration operates separately from the Philippine government, but all activities, including tax collection, have been approved by the federal administration.
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) administers the special economic zone in the Philippines. This organization's essence is to provide accreditation and licensing for foreign enterprises that want to work in the region. It is important to note that this administration operates separately from the Philippine government, but all activities, including tax collection, have been approved by the federal administration.
Regulator licensed casinos
First Cagayan has licensed many well-known gambling companies, including
- MILES OF OCEAN INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITED
- MERCURY SYSTEMS INC.
- KEEN OCEAN TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
- BESTBET LTD
- LIMITED ASIAN BGE
- GAMEPLAY INTERACTIVE LIMITED
and many others. The complete list can be found on the website of First Cagayan.
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority review
In 1995, the Philippines enacted Act No. 7922, establishing the Cagayan economic zone and free port jurisdiction. This zone is controlled by an administration called the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). CEZA can operate directly, through a subsidiary, or by licensing third parties. Activities that CEZA licenses include gambling, entertainment, sports facilities, horse racing, dog racing, casinos, golf courses, and other priorities set by CEZA.
CEZA licenses both land-based and online gambling.
However, online gambling is regulated by The General licensor and the regulatory body of the administration of the economic zone of Cagayan, First Cagayan. The main purpose of First Cagayan is to regulate and control, on behalf of CEZA, all activities related to the licensing and operation of online gambling.
There is one very unusual restriction on gambling in this area. Land-based casinos must be tied to hotel services and gaming operations are only available to guests. This means that Filipinos living in the area cannot enter the casino and play.
The online gambling industry is similarly regulated. Companies that own and operate online casinos can apply for licensing with CEZA. However, access to the site should be blocked for residents of the Philippines. Only foreign players can access and play on these sites.
License types of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
First Cagayan issues three types of licenses:
- The full license includes all types of gambling: casinos, poker rooms, bookmakers, keno, lotteries, and more.
- License for bookmakers is intended only for bookmakers.
- Online casino licenses can only be used by online casinos.
To obtain a license, you must pay the required fee and meet CEZA's software, finance, security, and other parameters requirements.
Dispute resolution
There is very little information on how this regulator approaches the issue of player support. After all, CEZA is active mainly in the Asian markets, not in Europe and America. There is no complaints policy listed on their website at all. One analysis of gaming companies operating under the jurisdiction of Cagayan showed that there are no serious claims to their work. This characterizes the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority from the best side and indicates the regulator's high standards.
Conclusion
There are currently around 90-100 online casino sites licensed by CEZA. Although the Philippine market is very "local" and not widely used internationally, CEZA licenses remain the only opportunity for gambling companies to enter the Asian market. The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority is still the only regulator of online gambling in Asia.
Frequently asked Questions
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is a government organization in the Philippines created to manage and develop a special economic zone in the Cagayan region. It is a peculiar island with its own economic laws where the business environment is very attractive.
CEZA offers foreign investors a range of advantages that make the Philippines an attractive place to do business. Of particular note is the favorable tax regime with tax vacations and reduced corporate tax rates. In addition, CEZA greatly simplifies the procedure of business registration and obtaining necessary permits, which allows investors to start their operations faster.
CEZA actively supports the development of various industries, but special attention is paid to the IT sector, manufacturing, tourism, and logistics. Thanks to the developed infrastructure and the availability of highly qualified personnel, IT companies find everything they need to run their businesses successfully in CEZA.
CEZA sets certain requirements for foreign investors to ensure the region's sustainable development. One of the main requirements is a minimum investment amount, which varies depending on the chosen industry. Investors must also create a certain number of jobs and comply with environmental standards.
The process of registering a company with CEZA is relatively simple and transparent. First, an application must be submitted, accompanied by a business plan, financial documents, and other necessary paperwork. After reviewing the application, CEZA will issue a registration authorization allowing the company to start its operations in the zone.
CEZA offers foreign companies several significant tax incentives, including tax vacations for a certain period, reduced income tax rates, and exemptions from certain local taxes. These incentives significantly reduce the tax burden on businesses and make investing in CEZA even more attractive.
| Main info | |
| Foundation date | 1995 |
| Name | Cagayan Economic Zone Authority |
| Site languages | English |
| Website | https://ceza.gov.ph/ , http://www.firstcagayan.com |
| Contacts | |
| Feedback form | Yes |
| Post address | First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corporation 26th Floor West Tower, Philippines Stock Exchange Center Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Philippines 1605 |