Ban on e-gaming could result in job losses, attract underground operators — consultant

THE proposed online gaming ban could result in job losses, the proliferation of underground gaming operations, and a decline in government revenue, a regulatory consultant said.

The current operators “implement robust (know-your customer protocols), age verification, self-exclusion tools, and real-time monitoring. You ban those, and what you get is a black-market surge,” according to Marie Antonette B. Quiogue, chief executive officer of Arden Consult, which advises technology companies on navigating Philippine regulations.

Senators Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and Christopher Lawrence T. Go have filed separate bills seeking to ban e-games.

Ms. Quiogue said in a statement that illegal and unregulated gambling operations are the “real enemy” and not licensed platforms that follow global best practices.

“The infrastructure is already in place. What we need is stronger enforcement against illegal operators, not policies that penalize the compliant,” she said.

The administration’s economic managers support stricter regulation of the industry instead of a ban.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said the government is considering raising the levy on e-gaming operators proposed that operators be required to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development said supported such a tax hike while floated a proposal to tax e-wallets.

A group of 14 licensed operators has warned that a ban will result in 50,000 lost jobs.

Mr. Recto has said that about 60% of the gaming market operates illegally. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante