STL operator fears displacement of bet collectors

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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Monday, November 20, 2017
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ILOILO – Bet collectors of the Small Town Lottery (STL) franchisee in this province may be displaced if a proposal being floated to supposedly curb illegal gambling – for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to set up official betting stations in towns for STL – pushes through.

According to Samuel Aguilar, chief operations officer of Eagle Crest Gaming and Holding Corp., they would thoroughly study the proposal.

He, however, clarified they “generally welcome” the idea the aim of which is to curb illegal gambling.

There have been reports of STL bet collectors (also called cobrador, coriador or cabo, etc.) doubling as agents for illegal numbers games such as “bookies.”

The proposal sprung from a newly passed municipal ordinance of Tigbauan regulating certain acts of STL authorized agent corporations (AAC), their sales representatives and supervisors and the betting public.

One of the acts prohibited is the setting up of betting tables or any structures in any public place “for the purpose of taking bets for an STL draw, except in the area designated by the Office of the Mayor for such purpose.”

The Tigbauan ordinance aims to eradicate unauthorized lotteries or number games.

“Ang gusto naman natin mawala ‘yung illegal gambling,” said Aguilar.

He, however, stressed that PCSO has supervisory authority over STL.

“PCSO ang magsasabi kung ano ang dapat naming gawin. Kasi ang contract namin is with PCSO,” said Aguilar.

The Tigbauan ordinance is currently being reviewed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s committee on games and amusement. Without the Provincial Board’s approval, it could not be enforced.

According to Provincial Board member Emmanuel Gallar, committee chairperson, the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) rendered an opinion that the Tigbauan ordinance was valid and legal.

“According to the PLO, it was within the power of the local government unit to regulate businesses in its turf,” said Gallar.

His committee would soon come out with a report on the Tigbauan ordinance.

PROHIBITED ACTS

The other prohibited acts under the Tigbauan STL ordinance are the following:

* to take any bet other than those intended for STL, or otherwise act as a front for illegal lotteries or numbers game or any form thereof, such as but not limited to jueteng, masiao, bookies, game fixing and other forms of lotteries, including the act of betting or participating in such illegal numbers game

* paraphernalia not authorized by PCSO for STL draw shall be prima facie presumed to have violated the ordinance

* to take bets without PCSO-prescribed identifications cards which must be strictly be worn and prominently displayed when on duty

* to allow, entice or tolerate a minor or a mentally challenged person to place a bet or otherwise participate in STL, whether personally or through another person

* to take bets within 20 meters of government offices and facilities, barangay halls, schools, hospitals, health centers and clinics, church, centers of youth activity such as playgrounds, plaza, parks and sports arena and similar places, and within or inside public conveyances such jeepneys, buses, tricycles, whether mobile or stationary

REGULATED ACTS

The ordinance also imposes the following:

* The authorizeed agent corporation (AAC) shall secure a Mayor’s Permit not later than Jan. 15 of each calendar year, subject to exemption from payment of taxes and fees as may be provided by existing laws, rules and regulations. The permit application shall be accompanied by a certified copy of its PCSO-STL Franchise.

* The AAC shall furnish the Tigbauan police station with a copy of the updated list of its sales force and employees with their corresponding identification card numbers and specimen signatures every 15th day of the month.

* Every AAC sales representative and sales supervisor shall secure a barangay clearance and police clearance not later than Jan. 5 of each calendar year subject to exemption from payment of taxes and fees as may be provided by existing laws, rules and regulations.

* STL bets may be taken from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. only.

* Results of STL draw shall be displayed only at the AAC substations and duly designated betting areas

* The AAC, its sales representatives and supervisors shall report immediately to the Office of the Mayor or the chief of police the conduct, presence or existence of any illegal or unauthorized lottery or number game within its approved area of operation.

* No elected public official shall act or be allowed as STL sales representatives or sales supervisors.

The penalties for violating the ordinance eare as follows:

* first offense – P2,000 fine and/or imprisonment of one day or both

* second offense – P2,500 fine and/or imprisonment of seven days or both, and

* third offense – P2,500 fine and/or imprisonment of 15 days or both./PN
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