New Philippines president could prove a problem for online gambling

Entering his first day in office this week, the new President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, reportedly told his Cabinet that he intended to halt what he referred to as the ‘proliferation’ of online gambling.

The president, who has a reputation for being bluntly autocratic, ordered:

“Online gambling must stop…it’s out of control in PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation).

The Manila Bulletin reports that he followed that up with a directive to PAGCOR chief Andrea Domingo to cancel the licenses given to online gambling “sometime soon,” saying:

“There is no way of government collecting taxes there online. How do you collect taxes there? Not exactly the taxes but I do not want a proliferation of gambling activities all over the country.”

Duterte has also declared war on corruption at any level of government, and has directed that a roun-the-clock government hot-line with the number 8888 be established to facilitate public and whistle blower reports directly into his offices.

Other items on the presidential agenda include the protection of overseas Filipino workers and a drive to cut down on government red tape and delays in properly serving the public.

“I do not want to see the Filipino people queueing, lining up,” he said, indicating that he wants faster but still thorough processing of official applications and documents by civil servants, and efficient and timely responses to applicants.

Government corruption will be stamped out, the president said, adding: “If they don’t believe us, then we just have to arrest them and give them a lecture somewhere else.”

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