President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to the proposal of the Department of Finance (DOF) to impose taxes on the online gaming industry, a Palace official said Monday.

“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,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro said the government needs to fight illegal online gaming sites which might proliferate in light of regulations to curb gambling addiction.

“Batid po ng Pangulo ang maaaring mangyari sa mga gumon sa sugal, at hindi niya naman po tututulan basta po may sapat na pag-aaral, para po sa buwis na ipapataw man,” Castro said.

Should the tax be imposed, the fight against illegal or unregistered sites will be intensified, she said.

“Paiigtingin po lalo ang paglaban sa mga illegitimate o iyong mga hindi tama or hindi rehistradong mga online gaming sites,” Castro said.

Castro added the government is open to all suggestions on how to prevent addiction to gambling via online games.

“Gusto nating limitahan ang ganitong klaseng mga pagsusugal at mabawasan ang mga gumon sa sugal at ito po ay para sa taumbayan at ang lahat ng puwedeng suggestion at maaaring batas para ito ay masawata, hindi naman po iyan tututulan ng ating Pangulo,” Castro said.

Last week, the DOF was reported proposing a tax as well as other measures to deter what appears to be unrestricted access to online gaming sites.

The DOF also suggested limits on playing time or “cash-in” and displaying warnings on the risks of gambling to help prevent addiction.

The department also suggested that government officials be prohibited from participating in online gambling. | PND