Duterte wages war on online gambling
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte again reiterated his desire to stop gambling, particularly illegal online gambling.
In his speech during the conferment ceremony of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan 2018, Philippine Heritage Award and National Artist Awards on Wednesday, Duterte said he wanted to stop online bingo.
“The online bingo, it will be suppressed. No gambling,” Duterte said.
He said gambling leads to severe crimes.
“Look at the Okada; all the kidnappers, extortionists, police scalawags. They would kidnap someone from there in a room. They will call the family. If the family will not give ransom, they would kill the person,” Duterte said.
Okada is a casino resort and hotel complex on the Entertainment City gaming strip in Parañaque City.
“The casinos, they are still at it. They have a franchise and they have a contract. To hell with the contract. I told you I do not want gambling, period,” the President said.
Malacañang on Thursday clarified that Duterte’s statement only applied to illegal gambling.
“I think he refers only to the illegal gambling. Those who have been granted license, I don’t think that’s [included],” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.
In August, Duterte said he would not allow the construction of more casinos in the country.
“I hate gambling. I do not want it. There will be no casino outside of what are existing now,” he added.
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