Philippines Poses Fresh Problems for Online Gambling Operators

Internationally licensed gaming operators can expect new hurdles are coming its way from the Philippines government. The Bureau of International Revenue (BIR) asked all Philippines offshore gaming operations, i.e. POGO to register with them before attempting to secure a gambling license on February 18.

The licensing body for POGO – Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has been instructed not to issue any new licenses before prior to a BIR certification being received. The directive is applicable for both new and renewed licenses.

The President’s office has shown support for this move and said that it would check activity by Chinese professionals on its shore. President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, Salvador Panelo backed the decision by saying that it would enable them to estimate the number of Chinese nationals who are in the Philippines against the law.

Should Chinese Tourist Activity Be Monitored in the Southeast Asia?

While it isn’t certain how documentation by a tax-agency-like company can monitor Chinese tourist activity, it can be concluded that the additional requirement is much more an additional fee variant than an immigrant check. The Bureau of Immigration is already looking into that matter.

BIR has already wondered that question and reasoned that one might join the task force.

All of these extra requirements on POGO make it seem like it was a gun law with necessary impositions being placed to safeguard the public. Now, those companies who are willing to continue sans a functional license, in a black market, filled with illegal immigrants will keep functioning as they did before. At the same time, licensed POGOs have to deal with all the bureaucratic red-tapism simply to finance the lives of hardworking and decent Filipinos.

The president of the country is severely anti-gambling and will probably not be tearing up at Rodrigo Duterte’s house. PAGCOR’s head requested him publicly to loosen up his restrictions for at least the country’s sake. It isn’t a possible circumstance, at least not under the Duterte administration. Also, almost every operator will now grift honest operators down in an attempt to shake up the scene.

So what does the future hold for international gambling operators in the Philippines? We are yet to find out. Only time will tell. Will they be able to go on as they were functioning up until now or can they expect to be posed with even bigger problems in the time to come?