House panel seeks approval of bill banning online lotto betting

The House of Representatives committee on games and amusement has endorsed for plenary approval a proposed bill seeking to prohibit the online placing of bets for all lotto games in the country.

The proposed bill challenges the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) plan to introduce online lotto betting.

In accordance with the House Bill 9283, placing of bets for all lotto games “shall only be done physically and only in authorized lotto outlets.”

It aims to safeguard the youth from being exposed to and involved in application-based or web-based betting.

The bill reads, “…Online placing of bets through mobile phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers, and other similar gadgets, for all Lotto games is prohibited.”

Furthermore, it aims to safeguard the livelihood of lotto agents by preventing their obsolescence and eventual disappearance in the face of the digitalization of lotto games.

“Any change in the system and procedures to play all lotto games, which have impact on revenue generation, livelihood of the lotto agents and the charity mandate of the PCSO, shall be made public to the affected stakeholders and subject to the approval of the Office of the President,” the bill further read.