Senator questions legality of online casino gaming

Sen. Robert Barbers questioned yesterday the legality of an on-line casino firm operating through the Internet, saying operators of such needed prior congressional approval.

Barbers said he will ask the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to explain if Sports and Games Entertainment, Inc. (SAGE) – which has been operating for the past two years – complied with all legal requirements.

Barbers said he had received several complaints demanding the suspension of on-line casino operations until Congress has decided if it will grant Pagcor the necessary license to carry on with the on-line gambling scheme.

"Whether it is played through the computer or not, as long as it is supposed to be regulated by Pagcor, it should pass through Congress and acquire the pertinent legislative consent governing the same. But as far as I know, any form of on-line casino or electronic gambling has never been a part of our agenda in the Senate," he said.

As chairman of the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports, Barbers said he could not recall conducting any public hearing on on-line gambling.

"If a public hearing was conducted, I would have recommended the grant of whatever franchise or permit is required if I knew from the start that it will have negative implications. We must hear from Pagcor officials if the youth has direct access to gamble their money with them," Barbers pointed out.

SAGE officials had earlier stated that their operation was legal since Pagcor issued them a license to operate. However, Barbers doubted that Pagcor has the authority to grant such a license.

"Is the permit issued by Pagcor to SAGE enough legal basis for it to maintain and operate electronic gambling?" he asked.

Barbers said he will file a Senate resolution seeking a review of Pagcor’s powers as a government agency regulating gambling operations.

Pagcor information officer Annalyn Villanueva said Pagcor issued the license to SAGE to operate an on-line casino in 1998 but operations started only two years ago.