DOJ nixes Internet ‘horseracing’

THE Department of Justice has thumbed down the application of a local subsidiary of a United Kingdom-based firm for a license to operate virtual horseracing in the internet.

In a four-page opinion, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez stressed that the Philippine Racing Commission is not authorized to sanction the operation of an online horseracing under PD 420, the law which created the commission.

Gonzalez issued the legal opinion upon the request of PRC chairman Jose Ferdinand Rojas who has received an application from Turfmaster Philippines, a private subsidiary corporation of Turfmaster UK, for the issuance of a permit to be able to legally operate an online horseracing in the country.

The firm sought the PRC’s issuance of a license to operate upon the advice of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Gonzalez said that PRC’s power covers only the holding of races involving actual horses.

“Indubitably, while the Philracom has jurisdiction and power over every aspect of the conduct of horse-racing’ including the issuance of licenses and/or permits in the conduct thereof, it appears clear that the said power/jurisdiction covers only the holding of races involving actual, live horses which, apparently, must also be registered with the Philracom as race horses before they can take part in horse races,” Gonzalez said.

“A reading of the provisions of the Philracom charter does not show any iota of evidence that is authorized, directly or otherwise, to sanction the operation of virtual horseracing in the internet,” he further said.

He added that the proposed online horseracing can be considered as “gambling in the internet” as the game intended would involve betting.

Such activity, according to Gonzalez, cannot be allowed without the consent of Congress. By: Hector Lawas - Journal online