The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has flagged 297 betting machines and other electronic devices during simultaneous enforcement operations at 11 cockpit arenas in Metro Manila and South Luzon.
The operations, conducted with the National Bureau of Investigation on Aug. 8, covered computerized betting units, servers and other equipment that either lacked the required Permit to Use or did not appear in BIR records.
The devices were sealed or confiscated, depending on the circumstances, the tax agency said.
“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,” BIR commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said.
BIR revenue regions conducted covert verification of the establishments before BIR and NBI agents carried out the operations.
The bureau said some cockpit operators have since started registering previously undeclared machines and paying the corresponding penalties and taxes to secure their unsealing or release.
Tax authorities are also reviewing machine readings and transaction records to determine whether the operators have additional tax liabilities.
“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,” Mendoza said.
The BIR said it would assist operators that voluntarily correct registration and compliance deficiencies. Those that fail to comply may face further enforcement action.
