The Republic Act 9287 amends the Presidential Decree 1602 which imposes a penalty to any person taking part in illegal gambling. What does the Law mean to the Gaming Community? With the passage of this Act, the gaming community and various stakeholders are now properly guided on what’s allowed. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. PRESCRIBING STIFFER PENALTIES ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING. WHEREAS, Philippine Gambling Laws such as Articles 195-199 of the Revised Penal Code.
MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on Saturday, May 2, pointed out the “discrepancies” in Philippine laws that ban forms of gambling accessible to the poor, but allow Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) patronized by the rich.
“That kind of situation exists. You have Presidential Decree 1602 for the poor but you have Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) franchising bigger gamblers and owners of casinos,” Leonen said on Saturday at an online forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).
“We have to continue calling attention to these kinds of discrepancies, and we in the judiciary have no choice except to simply implement the laws, but it’s something we should address to our political and economic situation,” said Leonen.
PD 1602, enacted in 1978, punishes with fines and jailtime forms of gambling usually popular among the lower to middle class like jueteng, jai alai, cara y cruz (heads or tails), and the like.
On the other hand, Pagcor and several economic zone bodies are authorized to license casinos. In 2012, the Court of Appeals said online gambling is not punishable under PD 1602.
Source: Justice Leonen: Laws ban poor man’s gambling, but POGOs allowed?
Friday, 24 February 2017 15:45
Violation of PD 1602 Featured
Written by KASUROG BICOL- font sizedecrease font sizeincrease font size
Sto Domingo MPS on campaign against illegal gambling arrest of Dolores Abellano y Alondra, 54 years old; Meriam Alondra y Nuñez, 50 years old; and Maura Galvan y Torreon, 50 years old, all married, and residents of Purok-4, of aforesaid barangay while actually engaging in illegal gambling, locally known as “Tong its”, at about 3:15 PM of February 21, 2017 (Tuesday), at Purok-6, Brgy. Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay.
Confiscated from the place of incident were one (1) set of playing card, and bet money amounting to Php 154.00 in different denominations.
Subject arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were placed under the custody of said police station for filing of appropriate case against them in court.