The Quezon City Council has approved the Quezon City Gambling Regulatory Ordinance to protect the mental health of the people against gambling addiction and maintain peace and order.
City Ordinance 2773-201 was introduced by Ivy Xenia Lagman, Franz Pumaren, Alexis Herrera, Raquel Malañgen, Marvin Rillo, and Godofredo Liban II.
It introduces broader strategies and policy interventions to regulate gaming, which includes establishing the Gambling Regulatory Advisory Council, adopting of gambling operations regulation policies, imposing gambling fees, and setting up a 24-hour gaming problem helpline.
The Gambling Regulatory Advisory Council will also evaluate gambling operations, manage the implementation of the QC Gambling Regulatory Ordinance with the assistance of Quezon City Police District, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and conduct random inspections for monitoring and evaluation.
To strengthen the campaign for the prevention of gambling problems, the QC Gambling Regulatory Ordinance requires the residents who wants to play in gambling establishments within the city to pay P1,500 for casinos, P500 for e-games, P100 for e-bingos for every consecutive period of 24 hours, and a P30,000 fee if the gambling establishment offers an annual membership. Rio N. Araja
Quezon City views gambling as a public health concern, as it may cause financial, emotional and mental harm to individuals, families, and communities.