Philippines Considers Banning Online Gambling
The Philippines could see a dramatic shift in its online gambling laws as The Minority Alliance for Rural Concerns (MAFRC) party seeks the passing of legislation similar to the American UIGEA.
In a shock move by Narcisco Santiago, The MAFRC party has proposed legislation be passed that would outlaw all internet gambling apart from licensed horse racing, bets made on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotto and bets made on fantasy sports league games.
If the legislation was to be passed it would send shockwaves through the online gaming world and turn back the clock on a state that is admired throughout the world as a knowledgeable, clever and foresightful nation when it comes to gambling.
Many gambling firsts were credited to the island state including the government-owned and controlled corporation called the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Setup in 1977 to regulate all games of chance in the country it was created to generate much-needed revenue for government social programs. The firm now operates 13 Casinos, 8 VIP clubs and 3 slot machine arcades in major cities across the country, as well as 180 bingo parlors.
Similarly, the Philippines established the Cagayan Export Zone (CEZ), to encourage and attract legitimate and productive local and foreign investments in 1995. By law the CEZA may "operate on its own, either directly or through a subsidiary entity, or license to others, tourism-related activities, including games, amusements, recreational and sports facilities such as horse racing, dog racing, gambling casinos, golf courses and others, under priorities and standards set by the CEZA.”
"As minors traverse the sites of the web, the possibility of kids being enticed to gamble is high because of the tempting prizes that are awarded, like vacation trips, computers, cars and even cash." The words of Narcisco Santiago who, if he has his way, would make it illegal for anyone running a gambling operation to use the Internet or any other interactive computer service to place, receive, or otherwise make a bet or wager.
