The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raided 11 cockpit arenas in simultaneous enforcement operations on Aug. 8, 2026, and seized or sealed 297 betting machines and other equipment that were not registered with the agency.

The BIR said the machines, computerized betting units, servers and other devices were found without the required Permit to Use (PTU) and were not listed in BIR records.

The operations were carried out in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Metro Manila and South Luzon.

Before the raids, BIR Revenue Regions conducted covert verification of the identified cockpit arenas. BIR and NBI agents then proceeded with simultaneous enforcement operations based on their findings.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza reminded cockpit operators to ensure that equipment used to record betting transactions complies with tax and registration requirements.

“Betting transactions must be properly recorded, and the machines used for them must be properly registered with the BIR,” Mendoza said.

He added that the bureau would continue checking cockpit operations nationwide and take appropriate action against violations.

Following the operations, some cockpit operators began registering previously unregistered machines and settling the corresponding penalties and taxes as part of the process for their unsealing or release.

The BIR is also validating machine readings and transaction records to determine whether additional taxes are due.

Mendoza said he had directed all BIR Revenue Regions and Revenue District Offices to identify and verify operational cockpit arenas in their respective areas.

The agency said it would continue to prioritize assistance to taxpayers seeking to correct registration and compliance deficiencies. However, operators who fail to comply will face appropriate enforcement action.