President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he would no longer issue licenses for new casinos to operate in the country.
“I will not allow it. I hate gambling. I do not want it. There will be no casinos outside of what are existing here,” Duterte said in a speech during the 117th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
He cited the case of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) where he fired all the agency’s all board members over a “grossly disadvantageous” 70-year property lease contract.
“Yesterday I fired the council of Nayong Pilipino, all of them. You do not give gambling licenses or franchise for 75 years,” he said.
“Mean to say that a child is born today and 75 years later, he is that old. There will still be gambling in the city. I will not allow it. I hate gambling. I do not want it,” he added.
He said he would no longer grant licenses for gambling operations.
“I am not granting anything. Basta gambling ayaw ko. Better look for something more enticing just waging your — to wager a war, a money,” he said. /vvp