MANILA - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday (Sept 4) that while he was not a fan of online gambling he was unwilling to ban the business, as China has called for, because of the harm that would do to the country's economy.
Mr Duterte, who backed the Philippine gaming regulator's move in late 2016 to license Internet gambling, said he would not have allowed this "stupid activity" if there were plenty of jobs available.
"We decide to benefit the interest of my country. I decide that we need it," he said in a televised news conference, but gave a stern warning to online gambling operators not to avoid paying their fees.
Online gambling companies, known as Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGOs), are a boon for the local economy, drawing many visitors from China, fuelling property demand and retail spending.
The POGOs, which bar Filipinos from playing, contribute to national coffers through license fees.
from Asia
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