Republic Act 9287

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) Illegal Numbers Game. - Any form illegal gambling activity which uses numbers or
combinations thereof as factors in giving out jackpots.

b) Jueteng. - An illegal numbers game that involves the combination of thirty-seven (37) numbers
against thirty-seven (37) numbers from number one (1) to thirty seven (37) or the combination of
thirty-eight (38) numbers in some areas, serving as a form of local lottery where bets are placed
and accepted per combination, and its variants.

c) Masiao. - An illegal numbers game where the winning combination is derived from the results
of the last game of Jai Alai or the Special Llave portion or any result thereof based on any
fictitious Jai Alai game consisting of ten (10) players pitted against one another, and its variants.

d) Last Two. - An illegal numbers game where the winning combination is derived from the last
two (2) numbers of the first prize of the winning Sweepstakes ticket which comes out during the
weekly draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and its variants.

e) Bettor ("Mananaya", "Tayador" or variants thereof). - Any person who places bets for
himself/herself or in behalf of another person, or any person, other than the personnel or staff of
any illegal numbers game operation.

f) Personnel or Staff of Illegal Numbers Game Operation. - Any person, who acts in the interest
of the maintainer, manager or operator, such as, but not limited to, an accountant, cashier,
checker, guard, runner, table manager, usher, watcher, or any other personnel performing such
similar functions in a building structure, vessel, vehicle, or any other place where an illegal
numbers game is operated or conducted.

g) Collector or Agent ("Cabo", "Cobrador", "Coriador" or variants thereof). - Any person who
collects, solicits or produces bets in behalf of his/her principal for any illegal numbers game who
is usually in possession of gambling paraphernalia.

h) Coordinator, Controller or Supervisor ("Encargado" or variants thereof). - Any person who

exercises control and supervision over the collector or agent.

i) Maintainer, Manager or Operator. - Any person who maintains, manages or operates any
illegal number game in a specific area from whom the coordinator, controller or supervisor, and
collector or agent take orders.

j) Financiers or Capitalist. - Any person who finances the operations of any illegal numbers
game.

k) Protector or Coddler. - Any person who lends or provides protection, or receives benefits in
any manner in the operation of any illegal numbers game.

Sec. 3. Punishable Acts. - Any person who participates in any illegal numbers game shall suffer
the following penalties:
a) The penalty of imprisonment from thirty (30) days to ninety (90) days, if such person acts as a
bettor;

b) The penalty of imprisonment from six (6) years and one (1) day to eight (8) years, if such
person acts as a personnel or staff of an illegal numbers game operation;

The same penalty shall likewise be imposed to any person who allows his vehicle, house,
building or land to be used in the operation of the illegal numbers games.

c) The penalty of imprisonment from eight (8) years and one (1) day to ten (10) years, if such
person acts as a collector or agent;

d) The penalty of imprisonment from ten (10) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years, if such
person acts as a coordinator, controller or supervisor;

e) The penalty of imprisonment from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to ten (10) fourteen (14)
years, if such person acts as a maintainer, manager or operator; and

f) The penalty of imprisonment from fourteen (14) years and one (1) day to sixteen (16) years, if
such person acts as a financier or capitalist;

g) The penalty of imprisonment from sixteen (16) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years, if
such person acts as protector or coddler.

Sec. 4. Possession of Gambling Paraphernalia or Materials. - The possession of any gambling

paraphernalia and other materials used in the illegal numbers game operation shall be deemed
prima facie evidence of any offense covered by this Act.

The Republic Act (RA) 9287 is an amendment act to Presidential Decree (PD) 1602
which imposes penalties for individuals taking part in illegal gambling activities. RA
9287 increases penalties set in PD 1602 and establishes the Anti-Illegal Gambling
Board (AGB). This act also defines what illegal gambling is and states the kind of
games and illegal activities that the AGB will be combating. RA 9287 will also list the
functions and powers of the AGB and give them authority and responsibility for
implementing the new revisions and laws of this act.

Illegal Number Games

Illegal numbers games are defined in this amendment as all forms of illegal gambling
such as but not limited to Cockfighting, Jueteng, Masio, Last Two, Jai Alai, and
Horse Racing that includes bookie operations and game fixing, Numbers, Bingo,
non-government issued Lotteries and any other games of chance. It also states that
any game of chance or game of skill that is not in compliance and licensed by their
respected regulatory agencies are considered illegal.
Poker, Casino, And Sports Betting –
Legal VS Illegal
Most forms of gambling are legal in the Philippines with the exception of unregulated
and unlicensed games of chance or skill. However, there are some people who
illegally bet on forms of gambling entertainment that are actually not prohibited by
law, such as horse racing for example. If you place your bet at a wagering terminal,
race track cashier or Philippines legal horse betting site, everything is legal,
however, a number of people still choose to bet with illegal bookies for various
reasons. RA 9287 strengthens PD 1602 to cover any missed terminology and to
impose stricter penalties for parties who choose to participate in un-licensed games
of chance or skill.

Poker

Poker is legal and often played in the brick-and-mortar casinos located across the
Philippines. Filipinos are also allowed to legally play online from offshore licensed
and regulated poker rooms. The only exception is Philippine players are not allowed
to play domestic sites based in the Philippines by law. Players don’t have to worry
about this issue for the most part as it solely falls on the operators to not accept
players from the Philippines. Our guide on Philippine legal online poker sites is a
great place to start when looking for the best online sites that accept Filipino players.

Casino Gambling

Casino gambling is legal in various forms throughout the Philippines. There are
domestic casinos, casinos that come in on ships, and Philippine legal online casinos
all available to Filipino residents. Most of the domestic casinos are in or near the
capital of Manila City but you will also run across some in other areas of the country.
Heavily regulated by gaming commissions casinos are a significant source of income
for the Philippines. Not only does the licenses create revenue but the casinos also
help attract tourism. Philippine legal online gambling is available through offshore
licensed and regulated websites. Online casinos based or licensed in the Philippines
are not allowed to offer their online service to residents of the Philippines. Filipino
players are only allowed to play online casino sites from overseas who are licensed
and regulated by their gaming commissions.

Sports Betting

Betting on sports is popular across the world and in the Philippines. The domestic
sportsbook MegaSportsWorld has locations all over the country that allow residents
to bet on international sporting competitions. Filipino players are also allowed to bet
online with offshore licensed and regulated sportsbooks. The only catch is that
sportsbooks located within the borders of the Philippines are not allowed to accept
bets online from Filipino’s. RA 9287 will toughen the penalties for illegal sportsbooks
and other illegal gambling activities to make legal options more favorable and
profitable. Philippine legal online sports betting is available to players over the age of
21, our guide will help you determine the best site that will accept Filipino
registrations.

Anti-Illegal Gambling Board

In section 3 of the amendment, the Anti-Illegal Gambling Board (AGB) is established.
The board is to carry out the policies and counter the proliferation of illegal gambling.
The personal requirement of the AGB will be complemented by the Games and
Amusement Board (GAB). The Anti-Illegal Gambling Board will be comprised of 6
members, one of which will be the chairman of the AGB. The board members will be
the chairman or their representatives for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes,
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Racing
Commission (PHRACOM), Secretary of the Department of Justice, and the chief of
the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Powers And Functions Of The Anti-
Illegal Gambling Board
Republic Act 9287 established the Anti-Illegal Gambling Board and defined its
powers and functions. The board is to act as a central authority responsible for
carrying out and apprehending violators of this act. They are also given the power to
call upon law enforcement officials to assist in the enforcement of this act. They are
also allowed to deputize governors, city mayors, law enforcement agencies, to
conduct investigations into illegal number game operations and participants. They
are also to function as a complainant if the criminal prosecution of violators. The act
also gives them the power to come up with a holistic program and approach to
eliminate the existence of illegal gambling within the city walls.

What It All Means

RA 9287 was enacted to strengthen the laws declared in PD 1602. Not only does it
re-define what games are often considered illegal, but it toughens the penalties for
anyone operating or participating in illegal gambling activities. The Philippines are
serious about their gambling revenue and they should be, the Philippine Amusement
and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the third leading source of revenue for the
country. The President is known to be against gambling and won’t let government
officials play or be seen in a casino, but he also knows how important the revenue is
for funding school buildings, infrastructure, and other community needs. Tougher
Philippine gambling laws should scare more people away from illegal activities and in
turn create more revenue for the casinos and the government. Illegal gambling has
always plagued the Philippines, expect to see more tough laws come into play until
the government sees a dramatic drop in illegal gambling activities.
 Republic Act 9287 – Act to
Increase Penalties Against Illegal
Numbers Games
Republic Act 9287 was created as a response by Congress to end the public clamor for
tougher laws on illegal number gambling, specifically targeting games such as Jueteng.
Gambling laws in the Philippines before this Act did not provide enough of a deterrent or
explicit prohibitions against illegal numbers games as loopholes observed in old anti-
gambling laws allowed illegal activities such as Jueteng to flourish without much
repercussion. Republic Act 9287 was enacted on April 19 th, 2004 and considered
immediately effective and implemented 60 days after it was signed.

This Act plugged holes left by Presidential Decree No. 1602 which addressed video Karera
machines only, the Act increased penalties for those involved in illegal numbers games and
made no change to the penalties of those involved in other illegal gambling activities.

This loophole allowed offenders to simply jump ship to another form of illegal gambling.
Because of this, RA 9287 made amendments to replace the words “numbers game” with
“…[any] other illegal gambling activity devised in order to elude prosecution” to circumvent
said issues. RA 9287 not only created harsher penalties for illegal numbers games, it
included language to target specific games like Jueteng, Masiao, Last Two, Jai Alai, and
more.

The Act also amended provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602 to bring the law to meet
modern requirements. Upon the enactment of this anti-illegal gambling law, a memo was
sent to provincial governors, and city and municipal mayors informing them of their
automatic deputation as representatives of the National Police Commission, or
NAPOLCOM, in their jurisdiction.

Each official addressed had been given tasks to participate in ending illegal gambling
activities within their jurisdiction and told to enhance and cultivate community involvement
in said operators to end illicit gaming.

How Does Republic Act 9287 Affect Casino

Gambling in the Philippines?

RA 9287 does not affect legally licensed gambling or domestic casinos within the
Philippines unless they are participating in illegal activities. Due to the amended laws
created by the enactment of RA 9287 any offenders found playing illegal gambling
activities or in possession of illegal gaming devices shall face severe consequences as
specified under Sections 3, 5, and 9.

This Act is meant to effectively curb the amount of revenue illegal numbers games take
from legitimately licensed sources such as the Small Town Lottery or STLs run by the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The Effect of Republic Act 9287 on Philippine

Online Casino Gambling

Legally licensed offshore online casinos are not affected by RA 9287 nor do they offer
illegal variations of number games on their internet platform. RA 9287 can only affect
domestic gambling operations and any persons maintaining said operation who participate
in offering illegal numbers games and illegal gambling activities.
Those internationally-based online operators who hold authorized licenses from external
and offshore jurisdictions, comply with fair gaming practices, and operating standards have
no need to worry about the effect of RA 9287 on their operations. Punters are permitted to
still access legal offshore Philippine online casinos to enjoy a wide range of games such as
keno, scratch-offs, slots, roulette, and more.

Outcome

RA 9287 has made amazing strides in properly punishing those who are engaged in illegal
gambling activities, specifically illegal numbers games. Illegal numbers bookkeepers and
operators in small provinces and towns are facing the crackdown on illegal gambling from
their local authorities due to RA 9287.

Certain territories have agencies routinely busting new gaming establishments as reports
emerged of illegal betting stations which were permanently closed, offenders were dealt
with for violating PD No. 1602 and RA 9287. These new implementations and actions
against illegal gambling have satisfied overseeing jurisdictions such as PAGCOR and the
AMLC.