Radical Ideas (Part II)....

Radical Ideas for the Philippines (A continuing series)

Part I of this series.

II. Legalize Gambling

Let's face it. No matter how hard the government tries, it will not be able to eradicate illegal gambling. Gambling, particularly number games in the provinces, are already a pervasive part of our culture as well as serve as a means of income for a lot of families. It also encourages corruption of our police officers and local government officials, sometimes at the highest level.

Instead of arresting and convicting the large scale gambling lords (who sometimes turn out to be high ranking officials), more often than not it is only mere employees, such as collectors, and small time operators who are dealt with by the law. The big time operators are protected by an extensive network of protection money recipients, ranging from top level military, police, and local government officials, to parish priests and friends. The most practical recourse is to legalize, regulate, and tax this activity. It will not only increase revenue, create jobs, but it will also drastically reduce corruption by eliminating bribes and kickbacks. In a single stroke, we can put all of these gambling lords out of business.

Gambling is what people may call a "victimless" crime, since it is completely consensual. Regardless of its illegality, there are still people who still insist on doing it. If legalized, the practice of gambling can regulated and controlled so as to prevent some people from engaging in it (such as minors), to only allow gambling in certain areas (perhaps specific "gambling zones" far from churches, mosques, schools and residential areas), and to control cheating and fixing. The hundreds of millions of pesos earned by the gambling lords would be put to better use if converted into legitimate revenue for the government, income for ordinary employees, and occassional winnings for the ordinary citizen. Isn't that better than what is happening now?

Coming soon: Part III

Links:

Illegal Gambling has a Grassroots Base
Jueteng ‘solves’ fiscal crisis in Cagayan
A ‘who’s who’ in the jueteng industry

Comments

Anonymous said…
Gambling is bad ONLY because LOSING MONEY IS BAD. forget the moral mumbo jumbos of father robert reyes. The mathematics of games of chance (casino, lotto, jueteng) ALWAYS FORCES THE PLAYER TO LOSE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. Even if you have 100 MILLION DOLLARS in the bank, if you spend every night of the year in a casino joint, chances are, you'll be in debt by the end of the year. the same MATH that makes sure that there will be nights when you will win a few million pesos also makes sure that you will lose TENS OF MILLIONS OF PESOS IF YOU PLAY LONG ENOUGH.

SO, it's NOT because of the devil, but because of Math. The reason why Gambling is bad, is RATIONAL- NOT MORAL or even SPIRITUAL.
Anonymous said…
PART DEUX
HERE'S A RADICAL THOUGHT

Why not make a law that will REQUIRE ALL KNOWN JUETENG/GAMBLING/DRUG LORDS TO SPEND EVERY NIGHT OF THEIR LIVES IN THE CASINO. I say, let them keep their loot. BUT make sure that they play with it in the PAGCOR SPONSORED CASINOS, OTB'S, Make sure that they bet on PCSO SPONSORED LOTTERYS.

The math GUARANTEES that if the BIR can't collect their dues off these social scums, PAGCOR AND PCSO will.
Anonymous said…
PART TROIS
AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED LAW REQUIRING CROOKS TO SPEND THEIR MONIES IN THE CASINO

The upper middle class, down to the levels of the proletariats, shall be prevented from DONATING their hard earned money by BANISHING them from STATE SPONSORED GAMBLING PREMISES.

"If you want really want sweet revenge, teach your enemy to go to the CASINO"---Anonymous
Ronald Allan said…
Interesting view. Of course, not everyone has the tendency to be compulsive gamblers...:-) But I like your proposed law...:-)

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