Marcos open to online gambling tax, tightens focus on addiction risks
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is open to proposals for taxing online gaming, provided they are supported by thorough studies, according to the Palace.
“The President is listening on the plight of our fellow Filipinos who have been addicted to online gambling,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino during a media briefing on Monday. “Whatever the bills our lawmakers have filed, these will be studied thoroughly if [these] will be beneficial to our economy and, at the same time, will improve the lives of our countrymen.”
One proposal under review comes from the country’s Department of Finance (DOF), which has recommended a tax aimed at restricting access to online gambling. “This proposal from the DOF to impose [a] tax to restrict access to online gaming is ultimately for the betterment of Filipino families,” Castro said.
Congress mulls restrictions and potential ban
Legislators have introduced a range of measures, from tighter regulations to an outright ban. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed stronger know-your-customer (KYC) rules, limits on advertising, a minimum top-up threshold of PHP10,000 ($177), and a ban on using e-wallets, such as GCash and Maya, for gambling payments.
Bukidnon Representative Jonathan Keith Flores, while stopping short of calling for a ban, filed a bill to regulate the top-up mechanisms of e-wallets. Flores said the currently allowable top-up of PHP50 ($0.89) makes online gambling accessible to almost everybody.
Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong supports a complete ban, citing moral and public health concerns. Adiong said gambling games destroy not only the mental health of individuals but also the moral fibre of society.
Senator says revenue not worth social cost
Despite the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reporting PHP104.12 billion ($1.88 billion) in gross gaming revenues in the first quarter of 2025—with nearly half from E-Games and E-Bingo—Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri argued that the government could do without the PHP48.8 billion ($865.7 million) earned from online gaming last year.
“That’s too small. That can be gained through proper tax collection [by] the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs,” Zubiri said during a Senate forum. “I think [Marcos] will show great leadership if he puts an end to this online gaming and gambling for the Filipino people.”
Zubiri urged the President to include the issue in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA). While Castro said there is no confirmation yet, she added, “The President understands the consequences when individuals get addicted to gambling. He wants to limit these kinds of wager games and decrease the number of people who have been addicted to online gambling.”
“The President will not oppose all suggestions and all legislations that will lead to these,” Castro said.
Expert says outright ban may backfire
Marie Antonette Quiogue, Co-Founder and CEO of Arden Consult, has warned that banning online gambling entirely could backfire. Quiogue said this move could drive the sector underground, weakening oversight and undoing progress made under the current legal framework.
“An informed and nuanced legislative approach is crucial for addressing the genuine challenges posed by online gambling,” she said.
