Online gaming tax still on DOF’s radar

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) is still studying a possible tax on online gaming, a measure first floated by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to curb unrestricted access to gambling platforms.

Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano told reporters that the agency continues to assess the potential levy, which is one of the instructions of Recto, who previously headed the department.

“Of course. I think one of our stakeholders mentioned that as well… but it’s an excise tax. We’re studying it,” Adriano said when asked whether the DOF was still looking into the measure.

He said the proposal would still need the approval of Finance Secretary Frederick Go before it could be elevated to President Marcos for consideration.

At the height of the online gambling boom in July 2025 and amid mounting calls for a nationwide ban on digital betting platforms, Recto proposed an excise tax on online gaming, but he remained open to other possible policy measures.

He maintained that he favored tighter safeguards over an outright ban, which some lawmakers and the public were pushing for at the time.

According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., around 10 million adult Filipinos are actively gambling on legal online gaming platforms.

De minimis policy review

Meanwhile, the DOF is still studying possible changes to the de minimis policy, which exempts imported goods valued below P10,000 from taxes.

Adriano described the exemption as a significant revenue leakage, saying it could give foreign sellers an advantage over local producers.

“We have been studying that, but it may not be timely, even in our current situation,” he said. “We have always been looking at this de minimis, because it’s a big leakage.”

The Bureau of Customs earlier said that some entities are abusing the trade loophole to evade taxes, even if the declared value exceeds the P10,000 de minimis threshold.

“It’s unfortunate for our local producers. We are introducing this for equity purposes,” Adriano said, adding that policy changes would require legislation.