The Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has failed to rule out the possibility of tax rises and increased regulation on gaming, adding to uncertainty in the sector.
Responding to reports that the country’s Department of Finance will propose a tax hike, President Marcos said that he will not object to increasing the financial burden on online gaming operators.
Operators licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are currently required to pay a 5% franchise tax on gross gaming revenues.
In a briefing to reporters, his Press Officer, Claire Castro, said: “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.”
Castro also noted that the Government will strengthen its efforts against unlicensed operators in the Philippines.
Lawmakers seek an outright ban
These words come as lawmakers across the Philippines have increased scrutiny of the gaming sector.
On Friday (4 July), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri filed the ‘Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025’, a bill that seeks to implement an outright ban on online gambling.
Zubiro described gambling addiction in the Philippines as a growing “silent epidemic” and claimed: “For as long as gambling is within reach by almost anyone online, this is a social cancer that will continue to fester.”
Earlier in the same week, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian set forth his own proposal that includes a ban on using e-wallets to fund online betting, a minimum player age of 21, and, to discourage participation by low-income players, a minimum deposit requirement of PHP10,000 (£129).
Similarly, Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismulla, representatives of the Akbayan party, filed House Bill 1351, which proposes a host of new reforms. These include stricter age verification proposals, limits on advertising and promotion and the establishment of a national self-exclusion registry.
“The absence of regulatory controls has led to a rise of gambling-related problems, including financial meltdowns, family breakdowns, gambling addiction, depression, and other mental health issues,” said the authors of the bill.
“The Kontra e-Sugal Act of 2025 seeks to establish a framework to regulate online gambling in the Philippines [while being able to] safeguard public welfare, protect vulnerable groups, and ensure responsible gambling practices.”
Castro failed to confirm if the Anti-Online Gambling Act 2025 will be included in President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address, but told reporters that the suggestions will be relayed to the President.
Stocks tumble
Investor confidence in the sector has dropped dramatically in response to the proposals.
Shares of DigiPlus Interactive Corp, the country’s largest online gaming company, fell by as much as 30% on Thursday (3 July) before recovering somewhat. Integrated casino-resort operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp also witnessed a 12% dip on the same day.
However, indicating their confidence in the Philippines’ gaming market despite the unrest, DigiPlus Interactive has launched a buyback program for its shares – something typically done when a company believes that the market is undervaluing its stocks.
“By strategically deploying our capital through this buyback, we are sending a clear signal that DigiPlus is committed to delivering sustainable returns for shareholders while remaining well-positioned to pursue expansion and innovation,” said DigiPlus’ Chair, Eusebio Tanco.
An uneasy wait now begins for operators within the Philippines as the slew of proposals are considered by lawmakers.
