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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Zubiri: Taxing online gambling is not the answer

Zubiri: Taxing online gambling is not the answer

Published Jul 8, 2025 04:02 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Migz Zubiri rejected proposals to tax online gambling, as he pushed for his bill to impose a total ban on digital betting platforms instead of profiting from people's misery.
Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri expressed his belief that taxing online gambling is not an answer to the social ills it will cause Filipinos.
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri calls for a total ban of online gambling in the country, citing what he called a growing “silent epidemic” on gambling addiction, especially among the Filipino youth during Monday’s Kapihan sa Senado, July 7, 2025. (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri calls for a total ban of online gambling in the country, citing what he called a growing “silent epidemic” on gambling addiction, especially among the Filipino youth during Monday’s Kapihan sa Senado, July 7, 2025. (Senate PRIB photo)
"Let’s not earn at the expense of our people," he said.
“We passed a law taxing POGO operations in the country and it did not stop the moral scourge to society," he added.
This was after Malacañang said that it would not oppose any measure seeking to address gambling addiction among Filipinos, including the imposition of a new tax on online gambling operators.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that on the proposal to impose a new tax on online gaming operators, the President is aware that the new tax would restrict online gambling considering its possible impact to individuals.
Castro reiterated that the President would not oppose such a measure, as long as it was thoroughly studied.
Calling it a silent epidemic, Zubiri recently filed a bill seeking an outright ban on online gambling in the Philippines. Zubiri said that online gambling is quietly harming Filipinos, especially minors and the most vulnerable.
In the bill aptly called the “Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025 that Zubiri filed, he drew a parallel between the threat once posed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the growing danger of local online gambling platforms.
The proposed measure prohibits all forms of online gambling in the country, not just simple regulation. This includes digital betting platforms, mobile applications, and websites that allow users to place wagers through phones, tablets and computers.
"Kumikita lang tayo sa pag gigipit at paghihirap ng ating mga mamamayan. In English, we’re profiting from the misery of our people. Kawawa naman and ating bansa (I feel bad for our country),” he said.

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Migz Zubiri online gambling Malacañang President Marcos
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