Philippine Congress Approves Legalization Of Online Sabong (Sabong Arena)
Genre
Sabong Arena
Keywords
Sabong Online Legal
Article ID
00000406
Total legalization of online sabong and off-site betting on cockfights has been approved by the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, congressmen approved on second reading House Bill 8065 providing for the imposition of taxes on off-site betting activities on locally licensed cockfights and derbies. The measure amends Section 125 of the National Internal Revenue Code.
Though the Catholic church raised objections to the measure because of its adverse effects on the moral fiber of the Filipino society, the chamber no longer delved on the objections by church leaders regarding the influence of gambling on the youth and families but concentrated on imposing taxes for on-line betting operations.
Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay appeared convinced that online sabong will be imposed a five percent of its gross receipts which is “similar to the tax imposed on POGOs. POGOs, which exclusively cater to foreign bettors outside the Philippines, are currently slapped a 5% tax on gross bets under Republic Act No. 11494 or Bayanihan 2. However, the issue raised by the solon over the manner of taxing online betting was not addressed.
Online sabong, on the other hand, is still unregulated and untaxed.
Suntay, who also chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, said there are now numerous online sabong betting sites, noting their proliferation was due to the current pandemic and advent of digital technology.
The solon said he supports calls for online betting taxation so that government can derive additional revenues from it.
He stressed, however, that authorities should strictly regulate cockfighting operations as well as online betting platforms to ensure that minors will be protected and barred from participating.
Source: Manila Bulletin – House approves legalization of online ‘sabong’ – Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph)
