Legal gaming in the Philippines is run by a government agency known as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCORP). However, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is, as its name suggests, a charitable organization that runs a lottery.

The Church in most countries is divided on the subject of gambling, and the Philippines is no exception. Church funds are frequently augmented by gambling-related activities yet casinos and other forms of gaming are condemned. It appears that the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao, recommends people to apply to PAGCORP for monetary assistance when in need. PAGCORP gives millions of pesos each year to charitable causes, including ones initiated by the Catholic Church.

The Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Rosales was quick to say that Archbishop Capella was speaking in a personal capacity for his diocese in Davao. He himself prefers to ask the PCSO because it means they are supporting a charity and not the gambling aspect. Rather naiveley the Manila Archbishop adds that they actually help people that way, "there is a difference, PCSO is a charity." The lottery ticket purchasers are not just betting, they are supporting a charity.

The former president of the CBCP, the Archbishop of Dagupan Oscar Cruz, is anti-gambling and claims to have received death threats for his stand against it. However, there is no consensus amongst the 100 member CBCP. Many of the Bishops find nothing wrong with using PAGCOR money for the good of the Church and, by implication, nothing wrong with gambling.
Historically the Church in the Philippines has long been associated with gambling. Many of the feast days involved gaming in some form, particularly cock fighting, and the Church's dilemma is by no means unique to the Philippines.


For more information read 'Gaming in the Philippines - from tupadas to texting' (Archives: 6 - 11 Sept 04)


© Copyright 2004 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage