THE FIGHT to end all forms of gambling continues.
Councilor Edgar Avila has moved to call on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to shed light on operations of e – bingo in the city.
Avila said Pagcor is needed to explain to the council the workings of an e - bingo outlet as well as the permits and licenses it requires to operate in the city.
In past council sessions, guidelines for e-bingo operations have varied, which has caused confusion in the legislative body.
Outlets in SM City Baguio and Center Mall have operated without permission from the local government unit, needing only Pagcor authority, while the latest outlet, in Maharlika Livelihood Center had to obtain council approval as per new guideline of Pagcor.
“We need to be educated so we know what to do,” Avila said adding the difference between Pagcor permits and city permits must be clarified.
Pagcor is set to appear on the first week of March to give ample time for its top brass to attend or send representatives.
Avila’s resolution stated admittedly the operation of e-bingo by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) is legal, thus cannot be prohibited nor prevented by local government units.
“There is a need to clarify whether or not the three existing e - bingo operators obtained the formal consent of the City Council as required or whether or not they have obtained the required business permits from the City for their business endeavor,” the resolution added.
Avila also likened e-bingo to the illegal numbers game, jueteng which also uses a two-number combination like the Pagcor controlled e-game.
Avila said the move to call on Pagcor is the start of things to come in the local council as they study legal gambling backed by government agency.
Weeks ago, a motion to end the operations of e-bingo in Maharlika was lost due to lack of votes, making council approval permanent and blocking moves to rescind the same act in the future.
Couniclor Maylen Yaranon, who moved to end the operations, hopes Pagcor will not allow e - bingo operations to commence in Mahalika which is in contrast to their own provisions.
Under Pagcor, a gaming site must comply with distance requirements which should not be less than 100 meters from schools, places of worship and markets.
The Maharlika e-bingo is near the United Church of Christ, the Baguio Patriotic School and the city public market.