ANGELES CITY- – An opposition councilor here has filed a resolution, seeking to temporary stop the issuance of business permits to all electronic gambling outlets pending the result of the requested site inspection from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., filed on May 8, the “Resolution requesting the City Government through the Chief Executive, to temporarily stop issuing permits to establishments involved in any form of e-gambling pending the result of the PAGCOR site inspection.”
Lazatin had earlier asked PAGCOR through a communication to its Chairperson Andrea Domingo to conduct site inspections to all electronic gaming outlets in the city for possible violation of the allowable radial measure from schools, churches and resettlement areas.
Records from the Angeles City Council revealed that from 2013, a total of 21 resolutions have been passed posing no objections on the establishment of electronic bingo, e-games, instawin, poker and sports-betting in different parts of the city.
“Ang 21 na na-approve ay bukod pa sa mga existing na e-games,” Lazatin explained.
Lazatin said that with the “mushrooming” of electronic games outlets in the city, there is an urgent need to regulate it.
“I am particularly alarmed with the fact that several e-games outlets and sports-betting that were approved are located near schools,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin opposed last March 31 the approval of PR-291-03-17 entitled “A resolution interposing no objection to the operation of an electronic games, ‘instawin’ and sports-betting by SHL Amusement and Gaming, Inc. located at New Point Mall Ente 2 Mall, Units 16-19 Nepo Center, Angeles City,” sponsored by Councilor Jericho Aguas.
Last February 21, he also opposed the approval of the Resolution number 7648 series of 2017 entitled “Resolution interposing no objection to the establishment, maintenance and operation of PAGCOR licensed Archer88 Entertainment Incorporated of Poker Sports Club located at Prince Hotel, Ganges St., Corner Yangtze St., Riverside Subdivision, Barangay Anunas, Angeles City” sponsored by Councilor Carlito Ganzon.