Rodrigo Duterte Rejects China’s Call for Philippines to Ban Online Gambling

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected China’s call for Philippines to ban online gambling. He said that online gambling in the Philippines will continue over vocal opposition from Beijing.

“I decided that we need it. Many will lose jobs [if it stops],” Duterte said.

China said that Manila’s online casino industry led by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) is targeting Chinese. Beijing last month called for a ban on online gambling, describing it as the “most dangerous tumor in modern society detested by people all across the world.”

POGOs, which have flourished under Duterte, are expected to deliver 8 billion pesos ($154 million) in license fees alone for the government this year. The online gambling industry has driven office rentals and condominium sales in Manila and employs around 350,000 people, over 100,000 of them Chinese who do marketing and customer service.

Duterte said the industry will be under government supervision and warned that he will shut down operators for “non-remittance,” as the government starts taxing the foreign workers in the online gambling industry.