A Philippines politician has called for a ban on domestic online gambling in the country, according to a report published by Online-Casinos.com.
The move would not affect the Philippines-based offshore online gaming industry. The country is the only jurisdiction in Asia with a formal system for licensing and regulating offshore online betting. As a condition of the licence, service providers are strictly prohibited from accepting bets from Filipinos.
The proposed ban would potentially affect Internet cafes offering casino games to domestic customers and licensed by PAGCOR, the country’s gaming regulator-cum-operator.
The idea has been put by politician Narciso Santiago, of the Alliance for Rural Concerns Party. He cited worries about young people gambling via the Internet. Under the proposal, some onshore betting would be exempted, namely live horse races regulated by the government, legal betting via the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotto and officially sanctioned fantasy sports league wagering.
Online operators based in the Philippines but with products aimed only at the overseas market come under the jurisdiction of the Cagayan Export Zone Authority (CEZA). They have the right to operate or own directly, indirectly or through a third party any tourism related activities including gambling casinos, under priorities and standards set by the CEZA.
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