As admin intensifies crackdown vs. illegal online gambling sites
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is supportive of proposals to regulate and possibly tax online gaming platforms, provided it is backed by adequate research and serves the public interest, Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro said.
Beyond taxing legitimate gaming platforms, Castro said the administration would also intensify efforts to crack down illegal or unregistered online gambling operations.
Castro said Mr. Marcos is not opposed to the proposal of the Department of Finance to tax online gaming and curb unrestricted access.
“This proposal by the DOF to impose a tax on online gaming is meant to protect Filipino families…The President will not oppose the measure as long as there are sufficient studies supporting the implementation of such a tax,” she said.
Online gambling has been under scrutiny in the country amid concerns over rising addiction, social costs, and proliferation of illegal operators.
“The President listens to the concerns of our people. Whatever bill Congress passes, it will be studied thoroughly to ensure it is beneficial for both the economy and the public,” Castro said.
“We want to limit this type of gambling and reduce the number of those addicted. Any suggestion or law that helps address this will not be opposed by the President,” she added.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday filed a bill seeking to prohibit all forms of online gambling in the country, including those authorized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Senate Bill No. 142, also known as the Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, proposes a blanket ban on all digital gambling platforms in response to what Zubiri described as a growing “silent epidemic” affecting the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
The proposed measure also seeks to ban the use of e-wallets and digital payment systems for gambling transactions.
The senator pointed to the case of a 16-year-old in Bukidnon who reportedly lost P100 to online betting and reportedly committed suicide.
Zubiri said the social costs far outweigh the more than P47 billion in revenues generated by online gambling in the first quarter of 2025.
“The lives of our fellow Filipinos are being ruined. Families are being torn apart. Crime rates are rising. Filipino workers are sinking into massive debt, which is severely affecting their mental health,” he said.
At the Lower House, Akbayan lawmakers filed House Bill No. 1351 seeking a ban on the advertisement of online gambling in public places, the imposition of a 10 percent tax, and a prohibition on individuals below 21 years old from engaging in such activities.
The measure, dubbed the “Kontra E-Sugal” bill, pushes to impose a 10 percent tax on online gambling to fund addiction rehabilitation, education, enforcement, and research.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, for his part, expressed strong support for a total ban on online gambling.
“I do believe this has to be banned really. If you want to take down the evil tree, the bad tree, you don’t just trim the branches, you uproot it,” Adiong said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Gov’t open to online gambling tax, crackdown on illegal sites”
