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MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City council is reviewing a measure that will regulate local gaming establishments involved in online gambling and bingo games, including those held in carnivals and those for charitable causes.
The proposed ordinance is under review by the council’s committees on games and amusements; and on laws, rules and internal government. It has to be passed on both second and third readings and be signed into law by the mayor before it takes effect.
The draft measure filed by councilors Jesus Manuel Suntay and Godofredo Liban II seeks to regulate the operation of local gaming establishments, including carnivals offering prizes worth at least P30,000 and gambling events for charity, by requiring them to secure special permits from the Quezon City council.
According to the aldermen, any form of gambling must be restricted because it is potentially detrimental to the Filipino family, diverting quality time of its members to “otherwise unproductive activities.”
Under the proposed ordinance, “Any person, natural or juridical, engaged in the operation of e-games, bingo games, cockfights and other games of chance within the territorial jurisdiction of this city is required to obtain a special permit from the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council).”
The permit could either be short-term or fixed term. While short-term permits will allow the operation of bingo games, cockfights, and games of chance for as long as three days in a year, fixed term special permits will allow the regular operation of gaming establishments for three years. Meanwhile, games of chance in carnivals are limited to 14 days or two weeks.
Exempted from securing the permits are gaming establishments with a capital of at least P200 million as well as barangay (village) and community-organized bingo games with prizes not exceeding P20,000.
In the application for the permits, an applicant must be able to present a “letter of no objection” from the office of the city mayor or the local business permits and licensing office (BPLO); a barangay resolution certifying there is no objection to the project; a project description; the location of the gaming facility; a business plan with the projected income; and a lease contract.
Applicants for fixed term special permits are also required to present a tax clearance from the city treasurer as well as his previous permit and his accreditation from either the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
On the other hand, short-term special permit applicants will also be required to submit a certification of membership in an organization duly recognized by the city; the description of the fund-raising activity and the target beneficiary; a memorandum of agreement between the organizers and the beneficiaries; and a certified list of prizes.
Applications and requirements are to be submitted to the council’s committee on games and amusements, which will verify the authenticity of the submitted documents and issue the recommendation to grant or deny it in a report. The recommendation will then be scrutinized for confirmation by the council’s committee on laws, rules and internal government.
According to the proposed measure, a permit application would be disapproved if the owner, operator or his representative fails to appear in the committee hearing without justifiable reason; falsifies documentary requirements; operates before the grant of the permit; or violates other regulatory requirements.
The draft measure further provides that no gaming establishment is to be allowed to operate within 200-kilometers of a church or school and within 500-kilometers from a similar gaming establishment. They are likewise prohibited from operating earlier than 11 a.m., allowing the entry of minors, and conducting games of chance on credit.
The council’s committee on games and amusements is tasked to receive and investigate complaints against a gaming establishment, particularly violations of the regulatory ordinance. Its findings and recommendations will then be submitted to the city legal office and the BPLO for appropriate action.
A violation of the ordinance will merit a P5,000 fine. A second offense means a 30-day suspension of operation and a P5,000 fine while a third offense will result in the cancellation or revocation of the fixed term special permit granted to the gaming establishment.
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