Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has expressed cautious support for calls to impose stricter regulations on the growing eGames – or domestic online gaming – sector, provided any such restrictions are based on factual studies.
According to state-run Philippine News Agency, the President’s view on the issue was outlined by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Monday where she was asked about calls by a handful of senators to crack down on the industry. Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian last week introduced bills that would if passed impose stricter know-your-customer rules, greater regulation of gambling advertising, a minimum top-up threshold of Php10,000 (US$177) and a ban on payment platforms like GCash and Maya from working with online betting operators.
One of the bills also proposes a 10% tax on operators to fund addiction treatment and recovery programs.
In response, Castro told reporters, “This … proposal to impose a tax to restrict online gaming is for the good of the Filipino family. The President is aware of the possible effects on gambling addicts and will not oppose it as long as the proposal is well-studied.”
Castro added that the Marcos administration backed gaming regulator PAGCOR’s promise to intensify its efforts to crack down on illegal online gambling operations.
PAGCOR stated in a weekend release that it was “the prerogative of our lawmakers to propose laws which they think will be beneficial to the public.
“PAGCOR is duty-bound to follow any and all relevant regulations once they are passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.
“In the meantime, rest assured that PAGCOR remains fully committed to intensifying its efforts in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of illegal online gaming activities, together with like-minded agencies and organizations and with the support of all gaming industry stakeholders.”
RelatedPosts
