6 illegal STL bet collectors in Quezon fall

LUCENA CITY –– At least six suspected bet collectors of illegal Small Town Lottery or “bookies” were arrested in different parts of Quezon province, police said.

In Lucena City, anti-illegal gambling operatives collared Avelina Villanueva, 65; Luminada Piñera, 65; Nerissa Estoque, 27; and Oscar Semilla Jr., 44, while collecting and accounting lottery money bets in Barangay Ibabang Dupay on Monday around 9 p.m.

On Sunday, police also arrested Edwin Castillo, 41, while collecting bets in Barangay Bungoy in Dolores town.

In Lopez town, police also arrested Ricardo Macayan, 31, while gathering bets in Barangay Danlagan also on Sunday.

Seized from the suspects were STL bet collection forms, paraphernalia, and money bets.

Police said the suspects failed to produce legitimate identification cards issued by Pirouette Gaming Corp., the licensed STL operator in the province, which indicates they were engaged in “bookies” operation.

“Bookies” are illegal STL operations that maintain unauthorized betting stations in remote areas to avoid detection by authorities./lzb