Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not object to a proposed tax on online gaming and gambling operators, as long as it is backed by thorough research and rationale.
The tax is planned by the Department of Finance (DOF), but critics fear it could dissuade investment in the gaming industry or even push platforms toward the black market.
Speaking at a briefing on Monday (July 7), Palace press officer Claire Castro conveyed the position of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as well as addressing concerns around potential consequences of the tax.
Castro said in Filipino:
“The President is aware of what could happen to those addicted to gambling, and he will not oppose it as long as there is sufficient study regarding the tax that may be imposed.”
She also stressed that the government is determined to intensify efforts to crack down on unlicensed online gaming platforms.
When asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was paying more attention to online gambling following Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s proposed bill to secure a blanket ban against online gambling in the Philippines, Castro gave a mixed response:
“Yes, but we cannot say if this will be included in the SONA (State of the Nation Address).
“I don’t have any details yet on what the President will say or announce in the SONA, however, these suggestions will be relayed to the President.”
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. acknowledges the dangers of unregulated online gambling and will not oppose well-studied measures and policies to control the sector.
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— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) July 7, 2025
Significant opposition to online gaming
An outright ban is also supported by Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, who is encouraged by the crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
He maintains if that can be achieved, then the authorities can go one step further to eradicate online gambling altogether.
Senator JV Ejercito has not adopted the same stance, but he has called for stricter regulation of online gaming, arguing it poses a greater threat than POGOs.
Last week, PAGCOR, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, signed off on Php50 million ($887,600) of support for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to deport foreign workers involved in illicit offshore gaming operations.
The financial assistance is of mutual benefit to both organizations as it assists the Bureau to crack down on unlawful activity, while also combating the scourge of black market gambling.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the grant would cover the required repatriation costs to return illegal POGO workers to their native countries.
Image credit: @luisacabatoINQ/X
