As
the country's first Internet-based casino begins operations,
the Philippines Government is about to look into the fledgling
industry and may pass anti-Internet gambling legislation, according to
local media reports.
The issue of Internet access to gambling Web
sites is one of great concern to governments from the US and
Canada to Australia and the Philippines.
The US and Australia are both looking to ban
Internet gambling, although in one country (Australia) it is
already completely legal and popular - many say too popular -
offline. However, it is hard to see how a ban at a national
level can be effective unless every country has similar laws.
According to a report in today's Philippine
Daily Inquirer, the Philippine Government is holding a Senate
hearing on Thursday to look into an anti-Internet gambling
bill filed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Oliver Go of Sage Casino, the country's first
Internet casino, told the newspaper that company executives
will face questions at the hearing.
Sage Casino is already licensed (and monitored
closely) for five years by the government through the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The Philippines, like many Asian nations, has
a popular gambling culture.
