Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he’s willing to permit a resumption of online gambling within the Southeast Asian nation if correct taxes are paid and gaming parlours are removed from schools and churches.

The new president added online gambling to his hit list of vices, with the gaming regulator opting to not renew expired licenses of gaming cafes to stop poor Filipinos from betting.

“I will restore online (gambling) provided taxes are correctly collected and they're situated or placed in districts where gambling is allowed, this means that to say, not inside the church distance or schools,” Duterte told a briefing.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp this month didn't renew the exclusive license of Philweb Corp, an operator of greater than 300 cafes offering e-bingo and e-games around the country.

“I was mad because even the youth are gambling and there has been no way of collecting the right kind taxes,” Duterte said.

The president had singled out Philweb’s owner Roberto Ongpin, probably the most richest men within the Southeast Asian nation, for example of an oligarch.

The Philippines, which has one in all Asia’s most freewheeling gaming industry, stands to lose about 10 billion pesos ($215 million) in annual revenues following the government’s decision to not renew the licenses of operating e-bingo and e-games outlets.

“Pay the proper taxes…Gamble until you die. I DON'T really care,” Duterte said

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