QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9487)
RA 9487 amends Presidential Decree No. 1869, which is known as the PAGCOR Charter.
PAGCOR is granted another period of twenty-five (25) years from July 11, 2008, renewable for another twenty-five (25) years.
PAGCOR must obtain the consent of the local government unit (LGU) having territorial jurisdiction over the area chosen as the site of any of its operations.
It covers operating and licensing gambling casinos, gaming clubs and other similar amusement places, and gaming pools (e.g., basketball, football, bingo), whether on land or sea within Philippine territorial jurisdiction.
Jai-alai is expressly excepted.
They are not allowed unless the site is a three-star hotel and resort accredited by the Department of Tourism and authorized by PAGCOR and the concerned local government unit.
PAGCOR’s authority does not extend to certain categories of games that are covered by existing franchises, regulatory bodies, or special laws.
(1) Games authorized/licensed/regulated by existing franchises or other regulatory bodies; (2) games authorized/licensed/regulated under special laws such as RA 7922; (3) games like cockfighting authorized/licensed/regulated by local government units.
To the extent of jurisdiction and powers granted under the existing franchises and special laws, the conduct of such games is outside PAGCOR’s licensing authority and regulatory powers.
It expands PAGCOR’s power to enter into and perform contracts of every kind for any lawful purpose necessary or incidental to its business, expressly including investment, joint venture, management, agency, manpower supply agreements, and similar arrangements.
It allows PAGCOR to enter into contracts either as principal or as an agent.
All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances (or parts thereof) inconsistent with RA 9487 are repealed, amended, or modified.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days from publication upon the initiative of the grantee, in at least two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
It prevents overlapping or conflicting regulatory/licensing regimes by ensuring that games already covered by other regulatory bodies, franchises, or special laws remain outside PAGCOR’s authority to the extent of those laws’ jurisdiction.
The hotel must be a three-star hotel and resort accredited by the Department of Tourism, and the slot machine operations must be authorized by both PAGCOR and the concerned local government unit.
It indicates clear legislative intent to carve out specific exclusions and boundaries, meaning PAGCOR authority should be interpreted according to the express exceptions and limits stated in the law.