SC justice laments unequal treatment of gambling violators

The law to combat gambling, “a social menace that dissipates the energy and resources of people,” has lost its meaning since “gambling is regularly done in casinos and is condoned by the government mandated to eradicate it.”

- By REY PANALIGAN

This was the lament of Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen who pointed out: “As it is structured, the law targets only the poor, or those who do not have enough resources to play in the government’s casinos. This unequal treatment of offenders on the basis of wealth is a blatant violation of the social justice clause.”

Leonen cited that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. operates 10 major casinos all over the country, as well as mini-casinos, slot machine arcades, and clubs.