Valenzuela City bans POGO, gambling
Published Jul 4, 2023 08:44 am
The local government of Valenzuela City has banned the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and other forms of gambling in the city for the welfare and security of the residents.
Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian announced on Tuesday, July 4, that the city government has passed three measures, namely Valenzuela City Ordinance No. 1105 that disallows the POGO within the jurisdiction of the city; Ordinance No. 2023-093 that temporarily disallows new applications for small town lottery, e-games, and other forms of online gambling; and Ordinance 2023-092 that prohibits all forms online gambling in the city.
(Photo from Valenzuela City Public Information Office/MANILA BULLETIN)
The city government said that the ordinances were passed due to recent reports of social, economic, and security issues -- like money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, and prostitution -- caused by illegal gambling and POGO operations throughout the country.
“Regardless of what program na ibaba ho namin, we always put in consideration the social and moral impact in the community no. Very important sa amin niyan not only because of the presence of our church groups na kapartner natin sa Valenzuela, but it is really more on the social and moral impact ho na nadadala po nitong ganitong mga gambling no (Regardless of what programs here, we always consider the social and moral impact on the community. That is very important to us not only because of the presence of our church groups, but it is really more on the social and moral impact that this kind of gambling brings),” Gatchalian said.
He also cited the ill effects of the e-sabong or online cockfighting that became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted the national government to ban the said game in the country
Ordinance No. 1105, enacted on June 22, states that all POGO entities, including agents, service providers, and gaming support providers involved in offshore gaming activities, are prohibited to operate in Valenzuela City.
Those who will be caught violating the ordinance will face administrative fines ranging from P200,000 to P300,000.
According to the ordinance, any person who is found violating any of its provisions will be fined P5,000 or one year imprisonment, or both, subject to the discretion of the court.
Meanwhile, Ordinance No. 1108, states that all persons "within the territorial jurisdiction of Valenzuela City are prohibited to participate, bet, engage, take part, establish, operate, manage, finance, or maintain any illegal gambling activities such as topada, sakla, video karera, jueteng, cara y cruz, ending, masiao, last two, horse racing bookie operations, 7-11 or any game using dice, black jack, lucky nine, poker, monte, baccarat, tong-its, cuajao, high and low mahjong, domino, and any other games using plastic scheme tiles, slot machines, roulette, street racing, dice games, card games, games of chance, games of skill, or any other kinds of illegal gambling activities".
Ordinance No. 1107 temporarily disallows new or pending application for establishment and operation of online casino, E-Games, online sabong, E-Bingo, online poker and other forms of online gambling, and Small Town Lottery (STL) within the city for a period of five years.
The city government said that online gambling establishments currently operating in the city with valid business permits will still be allowed to continue their operations.
The city government established a group that monitors all buildings and lots to ensure that no illegal gambling activities and POGOs operate in the city.
(Photo from Valenzuela City Public Information Office/MANILA BULLETIN)
The city government said that the ordinances were passed due to recent reports of social, economic, and security issues -- like money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, and prostitution -- caused by illegal gambling and POGO operations throughout the country.
“Regardless of what program na ibaba ho namin, we always put in consideration the social and moral impact in the community no. Very important sa amin niyan not only because of the presence of our church groups na kapartner natin sa Valenzuela, but it is really more on the social and moral impact ho na nadadala po nitong ganitong mga gambling no (Regardless of what programs here, we always consider the social and moral impact on the community. That is very important to us not only because of the presence of our church groups, but it is really more on the social and moral impact that this kind of gambling brings),” Gatchalian said.
He also cited the ill effects of the e-sabong or online cockfighting that became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted the national government to ban the said game in the country
Ordinance No. 1105, enacted on June 22, states that all POGO entities, including agents, service providers, and gaming support providers involved in offshore gaming activities, are prohibited to operate in Valenzuela City.
Those who will be caught violating the ordinance will face administrative fines ranging from P200,000 to P300,000.
According to the ordinance, any person who is found violating any of its provisions will be fined P5,000 or one year imprisonment, or both, subject to the discretion of the court.
Meanwhile, Ordinance No. 1108, states that all persons "within the territorial jurisdiction of Valenzuela City are prohibited to participate, bet, engage, take part, establish, operate, manage, finance, or maintain any illegal gambling activities such as topada, sakla, video karera, jueteng, cara y cruz, ending, masiao, last two, horse racing bookie operations, 7-11 or any game using dice, black jack, lucky nine, poker, monte, baccarat, tong-its, cuajao, high and low mahjong, domino, and any other games using plastic scheme tiles, slot machines, roulette, street racing, dice games, card games, games of chance, games of skill, or any other kinds of illegal gambling activities".
Ordinance No. 1107 temporarily disallows new or pending application for establishment and operation of online casino, E-Games, online sabong, E-Bingo, online poker and other forms of online gambling, and Small Town Lottery (STL) within the city for a period of five years.
The city government said that online gambling establishments currently operating in the city with valid business permits will still be allowed to continue their operations.
The city government established a group that monitors all buildings and lots to ensure that no illegal gambling activities and POGOs operate in the city.