Marcos' speech omits any mention of iGaming, perceived as a deliberate tactic
In the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 28, 2025, the topic of online gambling was noticeably absent, despite growing calls for stricter regulation or an outright ban from legislators and sectors.
The president's silence on the matter did not provide any clear indication of his administration's stance on the future of online gambling, leaving the industry and lawmakers anticipating signals on the administration's stance.
Marcos Jr.'s decision to omit the topic from his SONA could be seen as a deliberate move, signalling a conscious decision not to rush into any policy change without deeper study and more data, to avoid potentially problematic, hasty legislation.
The rapid expansion of the online gambling sector, which has become one of the largest contributors to the country’s gambling revenues, has raised concerns around addiction, criminal activity, and financial harm. These concerns are driving calls for action against the online gambling sector.
The responsibility for advancing regulatory discussions has been passed to Congress and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which is already tightening restrictions such as removing out-of-home gambling ads and requiring advertising approvals.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has proposed fiscal reforms for the iGaming sector, including a 10% increase in gross gaming revenue tax and mandatory public listings for online gambling companies on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
In a previous statement, Marcos Jr. stressed in last year's SONA that a ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was necessary due to serious abuses and ties to organized crime, including money laundering, human trafficking, and murder.
The ongoing debate and discussion about the regulation and potential ban of online gambling in the Philippines continue, with lawmakers and industry analysts eagerly waiting for clarification on the administration's stance regarding the future of online gambling.
Marcos Jr. indicated earlier this month that he would not oppose tax increases or a possible online gambling ban, provided it is based on solid research. Proposed legislation aimed at curbing the online gambling sector includes stricter age verification measures, restrictions on digital wallets, limitations on gambling-related sponsorships, and a potential blanket ban.
The SONA, delivered annually on the fourth Monday of July, outlines the president's report on the nation's current condition, key accomplishments, and policy priorities. This year's address, however, did not address the topic of online gambling, leaving the industry and lawmakers to await further developments.
[1] Philippine Star. (2025). Marcos Jr. avoids decision on online gambling regulation in SONA. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/07/28/2234167/marcos-jr-avoids-decision-online-gambling-regulation-sona
[2] Rappler. (2025). Marcos Jr. silent on online gambling in SONA, leaving industry and lawmakers in limbo. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/283576-marcos-jr-silent-online-gambling-sona-leaving-industry-lawmakers-limbo
[3] ABS-CBN News. (2025). Marcos Jr. passes responsibility for online gambling regulation to Congress and PAGCOR. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/28/25/marcos-jr-passes-responsibility-for-online-gambling-regulation-to-congress-and-pagcor
[4] Manila Bulletin. (2025). Marcos Jr. avoids decision on online gambling regulation in SONA. Retrieved from https://manilabulletin.com/2025/07/28/marcos-jr-avoids-decision-on-online-gambling-regulation-in-sona/
[5] CNN Philippines. (2025). Marcos Jr. silent on online gambling in SONA, leaving industry and lawmakers in limbo. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/business/2025/07/28/Marcos-Jr-silent-on-online-gambling-in-SONA-leaving-industry-and-lawmakers-in-limbo.html
- Fintech experts and industry analysts suggest that Finance Secretary Ralph Recto's proposed fiscal reforms, such as increasing the gross gaming revenue tax and mandating public listings for online gambling companies, could potentially reshape the fintech landscape in the online gambling sector.
- As the ongoing debate about online gambling regulation continues in the Philippines, lawmakers and sectors like fintech are closely watching the actions of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Congress, hoping for a clearer indication of the administration's stance on this issue.
