THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said collections from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) rose 127% in 2022 to P8.8 billion.
Some 48.99% of the collections were generated from withholding taxes, which amounted to P4.35 billion.
This was followed by gaming taxes, which brought in P3.65 billion.
Collections from business taxes stood at P43.2 million. This consisted of P28.18 million in value-added tax and P15.02 million in percentage tax.
The BIR also collected P805.99 million in income taxes, P19.42 million in documentary stamp taxes, and P9.01 million in other taxes.
The non-gaming revenue of Philippine-based POGOs is subject to 25% regular income tax, as outlined in the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) estimates that the industry’s total gross gaming revenue rose 48.68% to P136.37 billion.
PAGCOR has said it is working with law enforcement agencies to address illegal gambling.
The regulator has “instituted reforms to address the POGOs which have been recently associated with crime, money laundering and corruption.”
It said it also “canceled the contract entered into by the previous board with the third-party auditor for offshore gaming operations and has introduced new fees and imposed heavy fines and penalties to licensees and service providers found to be engaged in criminal activity.”
“Furthermore, accreditations were suspended and canceled, and licensees were held responsible for the conduct of their service providers,” it added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
