Philippines moves to charge entry fees to its casinos

akers in the Philippines are today considering a bill that would see a PHP3,000 entry fee being charged to any individual wishing to enter a casino in the wake of the Resorts World Manila attack.

Isabela 1st district representative Rodolfo Albano III proposed the new legislation in the Philippine parliament as a means of deterring indebted individuals from entering the countries casinos after it was found that casino gunman Javier Carlos had a history of problem gambling.

In an interview with The Manila Times, Albano said: “The bill seeks to strengthen regulation of the participation or engagement of citizens in casino gambling by ensuring that those who enter casinos and similar gaming establishments have the financial resources to engage in gambling,”

“A casino entrance charge will serve as a deterrent to those who lack the resources or can ill afford to engage in gambling from entering a casino”

Fees collected from individuals entering casinos will be passed into a newly created fund which aims to establish and maintain youth welfare centres across the Philippines with the fund falling under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Under the bill proposals 50% of the proceeds generated by local casinos in entry fees will be earmarked for children and youth welfare programs in the cities in which they are located.