AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF ELECTRONIC GAMES (E-GAMES), BINGO GAMES, AND OTHER GAMES OF CHANCE, WHETHER MANUAL, MECHANICAL, ELECTRONIC INTERNET BROADBAND OR OTHERWISE, OPERATING WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF QUEZON CITY, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THEREOF.

Background:

The Quezon City Government considers gambling generally unfavorable to the interest of the people. However, there are national laws which allow the operation of certain game of chance, though such activities, even considered legal, are subject to the regulatory powers of the local government units concerned.

The City Mayor Hon. Herbert M. Bautista issued a Memorandum dated August 3, 2010 which provides that “Please be minded that engaging into gaming or amusement measures such as e-games, betting outlets (Jai Alai, Small Town Lottery, Off Track Betting Stations), bingos, casinos and similar games of chance shall be the least and last recourse of the city for revenue generation.”

Thus, the 19th City Council crafted SP 2285, S-2014, regulating the operation electronic games and cockfighting or tupada in Quezon City. This ordinance covers all persons, natural or juridical, engaged in the operation of e-Games, bingo games, cockfights and other games of chance within the territorial jurisdiction of Quezon City consistent with the said Memorandum issued by Honourable City Mayor Hon. Herbert M. Bautista.

Legislative Track:

PO19CC-226 was calendared for First Reading during the 19th Regular Session held on February 17, 2014 and was referred to the Committee on Laws, Rules and Internal Government and to the Committee on Games and Amusements. It was calendared for Second Reading for deliberation during the 22nd Regular Session held on March 10, 2014 and was approved and passed on Third and Final Reading during the 23rd Regular Session held on March 17, 2014 and was signed by the City Mayor on May 5, 2014.