State-run National Tax Research Center (NTRC) is pushing for a 1,400 percent increase on Philippine casino entrance fees to dissuade low-income earners from gambling and help shore up government revenues.

At present, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) collects an entrance fee—known as qualifying fee—of PHP100 (US$1.99) from those who enter the casinos. The fee was the original rate since the state regulator started the scheme in 1993.

If the government considers the proposal of the NTRC, the qualifying fee will soon range from P500 (US$9.97) to PHP1,500 (US$29.91) as the agency factors in the inflation, according to The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The NTRC pointed out in its report titled, “Proposed Imposition of Casino Entrance Fee,” that the collections of qualifying fees dropped in recent years, citing the data provided by the state regulator. The NTRC is a unit of the Philippines’ Department of Finance.