Facing financial pressures, the Philippine government is turning its attention to the rapidly growing online gambling industry. Finance Minister Ralph Recto recently revealed that the Department of Finance is pushing a new bill that aims to tax online gambling platforms, which could pass through Congress by the end of 2025.
Recto stated that the Department of Finance has collaborated with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to assess the tax potential of the online gambling market. He noted, "We are working closely with PAGCOR to analyze the data thoroughly and expect to have a complete market understanding soon to support the legislation."
According to data released by PAGCOR, in the first quarter of 2025, the Philippines' total revenue from electronic gambling and electronic bingo reached 51.39 billion pesos, surpassing traditional casinos for the first time and accounting for nearly half of the national gambling revenue, indicating that online gambling has become the core engine of the country's gambling industry.
By the end of 2025, the total national gambling revenue is expected to reach between 450 billion and 480 billion pesos, an increase of about 15% from 2024. Officials believe that once the online gambling tax law is implemented, it will not only effectively regulate industry chaos and curb addiction risks but also become a new source of fiscal revenue.
Although the specific tax rates and collection mechanisms have not yet been announced, the related policies will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the currently active numerous online gambling platforms. Analysts point out that this move by the Philippine government sends a clear signal: in the era of gambling dividends, platforms also need to "pay up."
