The Philippines have added another hurdle for international online gambling operators. On February 18, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has asked that all Philippines offshore gaming operations (POGOs) register with them first before securing a gambling license.

It’s not just asking though, they’ve also reached out to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), the licensing body for POGOs, asking them not to issue any licenses until BIR certification was granted. This applies for both new and renewed licenses.

Cheering on the move, the President’s office said this would help the country keep tabs on Chinese nationals working in the country, and ensure those persons were following all national laws. “That’s a good measure to determine exactly how many Chinese nationals who are here in violation of our laws,” said Salvador Panelo, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson.

How additional paperwork with what amounts to a tax agency can keep tabs on Chinese nationals is not made clear. It would seem that this additional requirement is much more of an additional fee system than any kind of immigration check, as the Bureau of Immigration is already looking at the matter of Chinese workers in the industry.