= =
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines _
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 087: 27 JUL 2016
Quezon City aN

BY:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

REESTAATION UNIT
BILLS AND (NulX SERVICE

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2U02

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PETER M. UNABIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks to impose the payment of entrance fees to residents of the
Philippines who patronize gambling casinos, amending for the purpose
Presidential Decree (PD) NO. 1869, as amended, also known as the Charter of
the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Addressing poverty has always been a challenge to the government. What
is more worrisome is that many Filipinos want to gamble instead of doing
something more concrete to improve their lives other than waging hard-earned
money in gambling, particularly, in casinos.

Some countries have already adopted policies as deterrents to their locals
not to enter casinos. In Singapore, after a 2011 survey showed an increasing
proportion of low-income gambies playing with ever-larger sums, the government
decided to prohibit entry in casinos by the unemployed, people on welfare and
people who have filed for bankruptcy protection. Thereafter, Singapore also
imposed an entrance levy for local patrons to dissuade them from gambling and
therefore minimizing the impact of casinos on local residents. In an effort to deter
gambling in casinos, tie government of Singapore obliged all permanent residents
to pay $100 (Singapore Dollars) entrance levy or an annual entry levy of $2,000
(Singapore Dollars).

In Monaco, the iocal residents are not allowed entry at all while foreigners
who enter casinos are charged entry fees. in India, local patrons are charged an
entry fee of 200 rupees fo deter them from playing in the casinos.

A close look at the charter of PAGCOR yields no requirement of an entry
fee for anyone who wants to play casino, Under section 14 (3) (b) of PD1869, a
resident must have a gross income for the previous year of at least P50,000.00 as
certified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, in order to be allowed to play in the
casino. In reality, however, this requirement is neither observed nor imposed.

To preveni financially inadequate persons from entering the gambling
casinos, however, PAGCOR has been implementing the following built-in controls:


4, Issuance of player tracking system (PTS) cards or loyalty cards for
casino patrons;
2. Establishment of casinos in locations where financially inadequate

individuals cannot enter including luxury resorts and 3-star hotels at the
minimum; and

3. Betting at minimum bets of P500 pesos in a single play for baccarat
tables.

These measures are not enough. An entrance fee of P3,500.00 for local
patrons will serve as a deterrent to locals and would make them think twice before
entering a gambling casino. It will discourage the locals from gambling in casinos.
Moreover, the amount realized in requiring entrance fees will serve as additional
revenues for the socio-civic programs of the government as mandated by PD
1869.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

PETE}


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. aUbe

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PETER M. UNABIA

AN ACT

IMPOSING THE PAYMENT OF ENTRANCE FEE TO RESIDENTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES WHO PATRONIZE CASINOS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1869, AS AEMENDED, ALSO KNOWN AS THE
CHARTER OF THE PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 14 (3) (b) of Presidential Decree No.1869, as
amended, is hereby amended to read as follows;

(1)
(2)
(3)

“SEC. 14. Other Conditions.
Place. - xx

Time. — 2x

Persons allowed to play-

(a) Tourist and/or Foreigners who are not residents of the
Philippines;

(b) Residents (with a gross income for the previous year of at least
50,000, which fact shall be certified to the Bureau of intemal
Revenue) OF THE PHILIPPINES; PROVIDED, THAT AN
ENTRANCE FEE OF THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
PESOS (P3,500.00) IS PAID UPON ENTRY TO THE CASINO.

THE CORPORATION iS HEREBY AUTHORIZED, UPON
APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, TO
INCREASE THE ENTRANCE FEE REQUIRED UNDER THE
SECTION EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF
THIS ACT.


(c) The number of guests of the above-mentioned qualified persons
shall be limited to two (2) only: Provided, That said guests are at
least 21 years of age. GUESTS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF
THE PHILIPPINES SHALL ALSO PAY THE ENTRANCE FEE
REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 (B) OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. All laws, decrees orders, rules and regulations and other
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,