Last week a legislation bill, very similar to the U.S. Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement was introduced by Narciso Santiago of the Minority Alliance for Rural Concerns. He proposed making online gambling illegal with the exception of licensed horse-races an the official Philippine Sweepstake Lotto. The bill would make it illegal to place or receive bets or wagers, or sending or receiving information that leads to a bet or wager.
Now Philippine lawmakers decided that online gambling is absolutely legal. Lawmakers confirm there are no statutes that say online gambling is illegal. Legal scholars make it clear the Philippines are not following the U.S. example of acting like online gambling is against the law without passing legislation. The bill created a public debate instead of people getting prosecuted as if the bill was already passed.
Santiago thinks the bill is necessary to protect children and consumers, while several reports suggest that regulation of online gambling is a better means of reaching this goal.
