The modern-day gambling through electronic media will top the agenda during today’s special session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The proposal to allow Electronic Bingo (E-Bingo) to operate in the city was re-introduced by City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso during last Friday’s regular session of the city lawmakers. The move of the vice mayor came even as this proposal on E-Bingo wanting to operate in the city was already junked last year by the city SP during its first attempt which failed to convince the lawmakers.

With the move re-introducing E-bingo, a debate among the pros and cons of this proposal is expected during today’s session of the city lawmakers.

Vice Mayor Veloso who re-introduced the proposed entry of E-Bingo in the city cited on a motion for reconsideration filed by the proponent of the business venture identified as a certain Atty. Benitez. It was mentioned that a second applicant has also signified his intention to operate E-Bingo in the city.

The vice mayor, during last Friday’s session put for votation the proposal. However, City Kagawad Bebin Inting objected the move and instead proposed to differ the votation during the next session of the city lawmakers.  The city lawmaker likewise proposed that the votation be done in writing.

A highly placed source told The Chronicle the Church will express its objection on the proposed gambling activity in the city. The said objection is contained in a formal letter addressed to the city government signed by Bishop Leonardo Medorso who is presently the parish priest of the St. Joseph Cathedral.

It maybe recalled that the first proposal for the entry of E-Bingo in the city was introduced by the late City Kagawad Alexander Lim.
During deliberation by the august body, majority of the city lawmakers voted against the entry of the legalized gambling operation after the proposal was referred to the committee as a whole. This, even as the proponent of the gambling operation afforded some lawmakers an on-site inspection on how it operates during one of their trips to Manila.

WHAT IS E-BINGO?

Electronic instant bingo game is a game of chance played with the aid of electronic devices. Electronic, computer, or other technological aids are used for playing electronic instant bingo game. It comes under Class II gaming stated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which is a U.S. Federal law governing Indian gaming.

“Electronic instant bingo game “means“ a game played in an electronic environment in which a player wins if his or her electronic instant bingo card contains a combination of numbers or symbols that was designated in advance of the game as a winning combination. There may be multiple winning combinations in each game and multiple winning cards”.