A LEGISLATOR has called for an investigation into the tax compliance of casinos, including the quality of their revenue reports to the government.
ACT CIS Party List Representative, Niña O. Taduran, who is also the Assistant Majority Floor Leader, filed House Resolution 627 to look into the books of casinos amid reports they are misdeclaring their revenues to the detriment of gaming taxes owed to the government.
Ms. Taduran believes that “an inquiry and audit on the GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) of these casinos will be beneficial in ensuring that the right taxes are paid to the government” adding that “the social services being provided to the public by the government are being funded partly by the taxes paid by these casinos.”
According to the third quarter Philippine Gaming Industry Data compiled by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), there are currently 11 private casino firms in the country operating 1,891 gaming tables and 11,727 electronic gaming machines. PAGCOR also operates several casinos branded as Casino Filipino, which has a total of 487 tables and 9,446 gaming machines.
The resolution has been pending with the House Committee on Rules since Dec. 18. — Genshen L. Espedido
