Philippines Mulls Entry Fee Charge at Casinos
January 16, 2018 6:21 pmGamblers visiting casinos based in the Philippines may soon be charged an admission fee if the government decides to heed the recommendations set forth by the National Tax Research Center (NTRC) in its recent report. Furthermore, the charge would apply to both local and international patrons alike, who would then be required to pay an entrance of fee between US$10-$30 when visiting the country’s gambling venues.
Should the country choose to forge ahead with the scheme, it would subsequently be following in the footsteps of Singapore, although the entrance fees are substantially higher in the wealthy sovereign city-state which charges S$100 (US$75) for a one-day pass, and S$2,000 (US$1,500) for a whole year. Meanwhile, Macau, is also contemplating a similar move, as is Japan when it eventually launches its casino industry.
Back to Philippines, Credit Suisse has used NTRC data to forecast a bumper PHP1.67 billion ($300m) in extra revenues should the country’s casinos start charging entrance fees, with the figure valid even if attendance at the venues fall off by as much as 80%.
This is not the first time such a suggestion has been made, though, with bills recommending similar schemes having been introduced in 2015, 2016, and 2017. In fact, the most recent proposal was made by Isabela 1st District Representative Rodolfo “Rody” Albano III following a horrific attack last June at the Resorts World Manila that resulted in the deaths of 37 people. The tragedy was instigated by a Jessie Javier Carlos, a former civil servant who incurred massive debts after becoming a gambling addict.
Rodolfo Albano subsequently highlighted the “sinister effects of gambling addiction”, particularly amongst the poorer members of society, and elaborating further stated:
“It only seeks to address some poor people who have no more money and yet go inside and gamble all they have left for their families.. Deterrent also to poor addicts.”
According to the latest research paper, an entrance fee of PHP1,500 ($30) was originally suggested by the Quezon City Council in October 2017 for anyone visiting casinos based in the Philippines’ most populous city.