President Rodrigo Duterte Open to Allow Online Gambling

The Philippines’ notorious President Rodrigo Duterte has now revealed he is open to allowing online gambling sites to run in his country

Rodrigo Duterte has been in the headlines recently for his extreme views on drug punishments and a number of controversial statements. Today, he made Filipino gambling news by revealing he would be open to re-allowing online gambling if operators pay the necessary taxes.

Duterte initially stated that he wanted to outright ban online gambling during his first days as President. He seemed to make good on those claims by refusing to renew online gambling sites’ expired licenses. Duterte has stated he believes gambling is a vice, and is negatively affecting the Filipino youth.

The Philippines was previously one of Asia’s most lucrative internet gambling markets, brining in an estimated $215 million every year.

It now seems that President Rodrigo Duterte is backtracking on those claims, and seems open to re-allowing online gambling as long as operators pay their taxes. “Pay the correct taxes…Gamble until you die. I do not really care,” Duterte told Reuters.

What Gambling Sites can you Access in the Philippines?

Online gambling in the Philippines is run by PAGCOR, a government owned enterprise that is responsible for regulating all gambling activities in the country. There are over 200 internet game stations spread throughout the Philippines, but as of August 2016, no local independent gambling sites are operating here.

Luckily for fans of internet gambling in the Philippines, a large number of foreign gambling sites will accept Filipino players. The exact legality to gamble online through a foreign website is unclear, but a 2012 Court of Appeals states there is nothing preventing it. To find a full list of the best gambling websites you can access in the Philippines, check out GamingZion’s online gambling sites in the Philippines page.

What do you think of the news that President Rodrigo Duterte plans to re-allow internet gambling? Will this have any effect on the country? Leave your comments below!