Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 235)
Commonwealth Act No. 235 amends Article 195 of the Revised Penal Code relating to punishable acts in gambling.
The penalty is arresto menor or a fine not exceeding two hundred pesos; for recidivists, the penalty is arresto mayor or a fine ranging from two hundred to six thousand pesos.
Subsections (b) and (c) specify certain persons such as maintainers or bankers of jueteng and persons possessing lottery materials who have different penalties. Those falling under these categories are not covered by subsection (a).
The law covers games like monte, jueteng, any lottery, policy, banking or percentage game, dog races, or any game or scheme whose result depends wholly or chiefly on chance or hazard.
Making wagers involving money, articles of value, or items representing value in the mentioned games or schemes is punishable.
They shall be penalized with arresto menor or a fine not exceeding two hundred pesos, or arresto mayor or a fine ranging from two hundred to six thousand pesos in case of recidivism. If the venue has the reputation of a gambling place with frequent gambling, the maximum penalty shall apply.
The penalty is prision correctional in its maximum degree.
The penalty is prision correctional in its medium degree.
In cases of recidivism, the penalty is increased to arresto mayor or a fine ranging from two hundred to six thousand pesos.
The Act took effect upon its approval on September 16, 1937.