The Philippine Presidential Office releases new signals: cracking down on "unlicensed gambling", legal platforms may welcome tax reform.

On July 7, 2025, the Philippine Presidential Office released new directional signals regarding gambling policy during a routine press conference, shifting the focus gradually from "comprehensive rectification" to "compliance with licenses."

In response to the "online gambling taxation" proposal recently put forward by the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Castro stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not oppose a reasonable taxation proposal on online gambling, provided that the policy is "based on evidence and aimed at improving the lives of the citizens."

She further emphasized that the government's goal is to "reduce the population with gambling addiction, but not hinder the operations of platforms holding legal licenses."

This statement was interpreted by the media as a move towards precise regulatory management:

Shifting from a "one-size-fits-all suppression" to "targeting illegal activities and supporting compliance";

Compliant platforms are expected to receive clear tax policies and survival space;

The government may use this to stabilize foreign investment, protect employment, and enhance the tax contributions of the gambling industry.

Industry observers noted: This is the first relatively positive signal released by the Philippine officials regarding legal online gambling since the POGO withdrawal wave, potentially injecting policy confidence into the industry.