Philippine gambling ban is an apparent success

According to the Interior Secretary, the Philippine gambling ban enforced on PCSO-supervised games was a success.

The Philippines.- Jueteng, one of the most popular illegal gambling games in Southeast Asia was hit by the recent Philippine ban. According to the authorities, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) games prohibition has also successfully prevented new operations from launching.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured that Jueteng has quickly dissipated after President Rodrigo Duterte announces the ban. The measure impacted the Small Town Lottery (STL), which had been suspected of becoming a smokescreen for Jueteng due to similarities.

“For the first time, after the President declared ‘no STL’ and ‘no Jueteng,’ nobody attempted to open Jueteng operations until now,” Año said, as quoted by the Inquirer. 

The ban

President Duterte targeted the PCSO due to “massive corruption.” That’s why he has banned all gaming schemes operated by them.

“All gaming activities, gambling, that got their franchise from the government through PCSO are suspended or terminated,” he said. “[Starting July 27] all transactions and gaming, [the] wager of bets, becomes illegal.”

“I have to do it. I will not honour transactions that are clearly on the side of, you know, scheming people, the Republic of the Philippines, of the money due it. It’s all cheating. And the contracts seem to be crafted in favour of corruption and to favour other corporations and people. I will not allow it,” the President stated.

People “engaged in gambling activities in connection with the franchises, licenses, concessions granted by the PCSO,” will be arrested.