BIR flags almost 300 unauthorized cockfight betting systems
MANILA, Philippines — Almost 300 unauthorized betting machines were discovered in cockfighting arenas in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said on Wednesday.
According to the BIR, a total of 297 betting machines, computerized betting units, servers, and other devices that were found in 11 cockfight establishments had no permit to use and did not appear in the agency’s records.
The devices were confiscated or sealed.
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The agency’s simultaneous operations on Aug. 8 with the National Bureau of Investigation in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon stemmed from the conducted verification of the identified establishments by the BIR revenue regions.
“We are expanding these operations nationwide. I have directed all Revenue Regions and Revenue District Offices to identify and verify operational cockpit arenas in their areas,” Commissioner of Internal Revenue Charlito Martin Mendoza said in a statement.
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Cockpit operators faced corresponding penalties and taxes. They have also registered the previously unregistered machines as part of the unsealing or release process.
The BIR said it is also reviewing the machine readings, as well as the transaction records “to determine whether additional taxes are due.”
“Betting transactions must be properly recorded, and the machines used for them must be properly registered with the BIR. We will continue checking cockpit operations nationwide and take appropriate action when we find violations,” he said. /atm
