Pagcor tells families: Relatives ‘addicted’ to e-sabong can be banned

MANILA, Philippines — Families negatively impacted by e-sabong (electronic sabong) can report relatives deemed “addicted” to betting so that they can be banned, the chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said Wednesday.

Pagcor chair Atty. Andrea Domingo disclosed this amid reports of e-sabong bettors losing their money and properties—and in some cases, even “selling” their baby—to settle their debt.

“[We] encourage lahat ng mga pamilya na maapektuhan dito sa e-sabong na hindi maganda kung pwedeng i-report sa amin at kung pwedeng ipa-ban nila ‘yung tumataya sa kanilang pamilya,” Domingo said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

(We encourage all families negatively affected by e-sabong to report their relatives to us so we can have them banned.)

READ: Duterte justifies not suspending e-sabong

Domingo said those who were reported will also be banned from entering casinos.

“Very active kami dyan. Pag bi-nan namin sa e-sabong, sa lahat ng casino banned na rin yan. Hindi na siya pwedeng pumasok (We are very active when it comes to that. Once we ban them for e-sabong, they can also not enter all casinos),” Domingo said.

“At kung pwedeng bigyan ng litrato. Kasi yung mga talagang naa-addict sa gaming, kahit na i-ban namin, gumagamit ng bang pangalan at ng ibang ID (identification card),” she added.

(We also ask them to give us pictures because those who become addicted to gaming, even if we ban them, they use different names and IDs.)

je