PH lawmakers seek ban on online lotto betting

The House of Representatives committee on games and amusement is seeking approval of a proposed bill that would prohibit online betting for all lotto games, a system the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had considered introducing.

House Bill 9283, sponsored by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez, Augustina Dominique Pancho, and Gus Tambunting, was approved by the panel under the chairmanship of Rep. Antonio Ferrer. The proposed rule emphasizes the need for lotto wagers to be made in person at licensed lotto shops and expressly forbids internet wagering using mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers.

This restriction’s main goal is to safeguard the livelihoods of lottery agents by preventing minors from using and accessing application-based betting services. The measure also emphasizes the need for the Office of the President to approve any modifications to the lottery system that have an impact on income, lotto agents’ livelihoods, or the PCSO’s charitable goal.

Reps. Pancho and Rodriguez voiced their worries at a committee hearing on the PCSO’s intention to implement web-based or application-based lottery betting, claiming that it would make gambling more accessible to children. The possible harm to lottery agents who have put their money or revenues into actual lottery facilities was also mentioned.

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Original story by: PhilStar