The House of Representatives committee on games and amusement is rallying for the approval of a bill that would prohibit online betting for all lotto games. The move challenges the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which had intended to introduce online lotto betting.
PREVIOUSLY: PCSO Set to Launch Philippines’ First E-Lottery in November
Committee Report No. 773, chaired by Cavite 6th District Rep. Antonio Ferrer, advocates for House Bill 9283. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City (2nd District), Augustina Dominique Pancho of Bulacan (2nd District), and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City (2nd District), stresses that lotto bets should only be placed physically at authorized lotto outlets.
The proposed measure explicitly prohibits the “online placing of bets through mobile phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers and other similar gadgets for all lotto games,” aiming to safeguard the youth from exposure to application-based betting.
This restriction also addresses concerns about the potential decline and redundancy of lotto agents due to the increasing digitalization of lotto games.
During a committee hearing, Pancho and Rodriguez voiced their reservations about the PCSO’s plan for application-based or web-based lotto betting, warning that it could make gambling easily accessible to minors and could adversely affect those working in physical lotto outlets, many of whom are small entrepreneurs investing their savings in this venture.
The committee’s move underscores the importance of promoting responsible gambling and protecting vulnerable groups from the potential negative consequences of online betting, emphasizing the significance of physical outlets in maintaining the integrity of lotto operations.
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