Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pictured in a file photo) would not “act in haste” regarding the future of licensed domestic online gambling, said Claire Castro, a spokesperson for his office.
According to Friday reports on a media briefing covering the topic, Ms Castro stated: “the President cannot act in haste here”.
Some lawmakers want tighter regulation, while others are calling for a ban.
“It [online gambling] should be studied because in reality, the revenues provided by the licensees of online gambling provide assistance to the citizens” of the Philippines, she added.
Ms Castro’s comments about the President not wanting to act in haste, were reported by the Philippine National News Agency.
In a state of the nation address on July 28, President Marcos did not mention future policy on tackling the online gambling topic, as had been anticipated by some commentators.
Some lawmakers were reportedly disappointed the country’s leader didn’t mention the matter.
On Tuesday last week, Francis Escudero, president of the Philippine Senate, said Mr Marcos’ decision not to mention the online gambling sector should not be seen as somehow a missed opportunity.
The Philippines is mulling “licence fees” of at least 30 percent on operators of legally-licensed electronically-delivered games – referred to as e-games.
That is according to comment by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, reported on Wednesday by Philippine media outlets.
Questions on future policy continue. On Friday following the reports of Ms Castro’s comments about the need for careful deliberation, the Philippine News Agency reported Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva calling for the Central Bank of the Philippines to intensify its regulatory oversight of online lending platforms and apps.
That was amid concerns they are being used in connection with cybercrimes and online gambling activities.
In a statement, Senator Villanueva said digital financial platforms – including online lending apps, e-wallets, and digital banks – must be strictly monitored to complement the government’s broader crackdown on already-illegal and -unlicensed forms of online gambling.
“When illegal online gambling is combined with the exploitative practices of online lending apps, it will surely drag our fellow Filipinos deeper into poverty,” Mr Villanueva was quoted as saying.
