Marcos to study proposals on taxing online gaming —Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will study the proposal of the Department of Finance (DOF) to impose tax on online gaming. 

''Ang proposal po na ito ng DOF na magkaroon po ng tax para po marestriktuhan ang mga online gaming ay para naman po sa ikabubuti ng pamilyang Pilipino,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing.

(This proposal from the DOF to impose taxes on online gaming to restrict them is for the betterment of Filipino families.) 

''Batid po ng Pangulo ang maaaring mangyari sa mga gumon sa sugal at hindi niya naman po tututulan basta po mayroon pong sapat na pag-aaral para po—tungkol sa buwis na ipapataw man,'' she added. 

(The President knows what might happen if someone is addicted to gambling and he will not contradict this if there's enough study on this proposal.) 

The DOF is eyeing to propose a tax on online gaming as well as other policies to curb unrestricted access to gambling, including digital gambling platforms.

Recently, several lawmakers filed bills banning the promotion of online gambling and its linkage to electronic wallets (e-wallets).

In particular, Bukidnon Representatives Keith Flores, Jose Alba, Audrey Zubiri, Laarni Roque and Arlyn Ayon made the proposal under their House Bill 721 or the Anti-Online Gambling Promotions in E-Wallet Act.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed a bill that would prohibit the use of e-wallet for online gambling, increase the online gambling age restriction from 18 to 21, as well put a minimum bet of P10,000 and top-up of P5,000. 

The country’s gaming industry saw its total revenues grow to P104.12 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 27.44% year-on-year, driven for the first time by the growing popularity of electronic games among Filipinos. 

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has welcomed proposed measures seeking to put stricter regulations on online gambling. —KG, GMA Integrated News