Philippines finance department continues review of proposed online gaming tax
Regulation1 min read
The Philippines Department of Finance is continuing to study a possible excise tax on online gaming, Undersecretary Karlo Adriano said. Finance Secretary Frederick Go must approve the proposal before it can be sent to President Ferdinand Marcos for consideration; it has not been approved.
Undersecretary Karlo Adriano confirmed that the finance department's examination of a possible online gaming excise tax is continuing. Even so, the idea needs sign-off before it can leave the department.
According to Adriano, Finance Secretary Frederick Go must first sign off on the plan before President Marcos can look at it. For now the idea is only being studied, and no tax has been approved. Adriano told reporters the possible levy figured in Recto's instructions, and a stakeholder had also brought it up. Ralph Recto, now Executive Secretary, originally put forward the measure while leading the department.
In July 2025, when online gambling was expanding quickly, Recto put forward the excise tax. Recto favoured better security rather than a complete ban. According to the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation, roughly ten million adults in the Philippines take part in legal online gambling.
Imported goods valued below PHP10,000 are exempt from taxes under the de minimis policy, which the DOF continues to review. Adriano saw the exemption as a notable channel through which revenue leaks. He added that any change to the policy would need legislation. The Bureau of Customs earlier said certain entities used the trade provision to dodge taxes even when declared values exceeded the PHP10,000 threshold.