5 ,&., 1 '1 ;> 1 : 
'{ i 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Illegal numbers and/or letters games in our country, like jueteng, continue to 
proliferate through time in spite of law enforcement efforts. Illegal numbers andlor letters 
games have become so entrenched in our society that it must first be effectively controlled 
and regulated by the State before it can be eventually eradicated completely. 
This bill proposes to effectively control and regulate numbers andlor letters games 
by allowing it in a city or municipality only upon Ordinance by the Sangguniang Panlungsod 
or the Sangguniang Bayan duly approved by its constituents in a referendum election called 
for this purpose. After complying with this requirement, the Philippine Amusement and 
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shall then undertake the responsible operation of numbers 
andlor letters games in a-city or municipality. 
With this effective means of control, all other illegal or unauthorized numbers andlor 
letters games within a city or municipality can now be easily identified and prosecuted by 
the law enforcement under Republic Act No. 9287, increasing the penalties for illegal 
numbers games. Through proper regulation, illegal numbers andlor letters games can be 
curbed and corruption related to its illegal operatian can be severed. 
At the same time, this mode of control and regulation of illegal numbers andlor 
letters games can provide additional funding for financing micro, small, and medium 
enterprises; and salaries, allowances, and equipage of personnel of the Philippine National 
Police (PNP). This bill proposes that thirty percent (30%) of the proceeds from regulated 
numbers andlor letters games be allocated to the PNP, and as much as fifty percent (50%) 
be allocated for financing micro, small, and medium enterprises through loan operations 
similar to the model of Grameen Bank in the Gity or municipality to provide better livelihood 
opportunities for our people so that they may learn to work hard and look forward to a better 
future based on industry and not gambling. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
1s 
19 
20 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
1 
'2 M. Id iJ1 :3l 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT TO EFFECTIVELY CONTROL AND REGULATE 
NUMBERS AND/OR LETTERS GAMES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Numbers andlor Letters 
Games Act." 
Sec. 2. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to effectively control and regulate 
numbers andlor letters games as a means to eradicate the vice of widespread illegal 
gambling and create a culture of enterprise among the people. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, 
(1) "Numbers andlor letters games" refers to any form of gambling activity, which 
uses numbers and/or letters or combinations thereof as factors in giving out jackpots, 
including but not limited to jueteng, masiao, and last two; 
(2) "PAGCOR refers to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation; 
(3) "PCSO" refers to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofice; and 
(4) "PNP" refers to the Philippine National Police. 
Sec. 4. Numbers andlor Letters Games in a City or Municipality. - Upon Ordinance 
by the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the Sangguniang Bayan duly approved by its 
constituents in a referendum election called for this purpose, a city or municipality may allow 
numbers andlor letters games operations in its locality in accordance with this Act. 
. 
Sec. 5. Numbers andlor Letters Games Operations. - PAGCOR is hereby authorized 
to operate numbers andlor letters games or to grant a franchise to a natural or juridical 
person to operate numbers andlor letters games in a city or municipality that has complied 
with Sec. 4 of this Act. The numbers andlor letters games franchise shall be valid for a 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
period of one (1) year, which may be renewable. All numbers andlor letters games 
operations under this Act shall be under the control and supervision of PAGCOR. 
Sec. 6. One Operator or Franchisee per City or Municipalify. - There shall only be 
one (1) numbersandlor letters games operator or franchisee per city or municipality, 
Sec. 7. Conduct of Numbers and/or Letters Games. - The conduct of numbers 
andlor letters games shall be subject to similar mechanics and standards as lotto and other 
similar games. 
For this purpose, PAGCOR and PCSO shall promulgate minimum 
mechanics and standards in the form of rules and regulations in the conduct of numbers 
andlor letters games. 
A city or municipality may impose additional rules and regulations that it deems 
appropriate in the conduct of numbers andlor letters games in its locality. 
Sec. 8. Allocation of Proceeds from Numbers and/or Leffers Games. - Proceeds 
from numbers and/or letters games shall be allocated as follows: 
(1) Fifty percent (50%) shall be allocated for financing micro, small, and medium 
enterprises in the city or municipality; 
(2) Thirty percent (30%) shall be allocated for the salaries, allowances, and equipage 
(3) Twenty percent (20%) shall be allocated for numbers andlor letters games 
operations, including payments to winners of numbers andlor letters games in the city or 
municipality. 
of personnel of the PNP; and 
Sec. 9. Penal Provision. -Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be 
punished with the penalty of six (6) years to twelve (12) years imprisonment, or a fine 
ranging from fifty thousand pesos (PhP50,OOO) to five hundred thousand pesos 
(PhP500,000), or both. 
Sec, 10. Illegal or Unauthorized Numbers and/or Letters Games. - Any person who 
participates in illegal or unauthorized numbers arrdlor letters games shall be punished with 
the same penalties as provided in Republic Act No. 9287. 
Sec. 11, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 12. Appropriation. - The initial funding to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be charged against the current year's appropriation. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
circulation in the Philippines. 
7 
Approved, 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general