INISYUHAN ng Games and Amusement Board (GAB) nang ‘Cease and Desist Order’ ang lahat ng Off-track betting (OTB) at Off-cockpit betting (OCB) station na walang kaukulang local business permit o City/Municipal permit.

Ang business permit na ibinigay ng LGU ay isa sa kinakailangan para bigyan ng GAB ng permiso ang mga OTB at OCB na mag-operate. Ibinigya ng pamahalaan ang deadline para rito nitong Marso.

“We discovered that many OTBs/OCBs operate without local business permit and GAB issued permit. So, we issued a cease and desist order which took effect on April 3, 2017. We need to stop these illegal OTB/OCB operations. Undeniably, they have become rampant nowadays,” pahayag ni GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra.

Aniya, kabuuang 55 OTB at OCB sa bansa ang hindi binigyan ng GAB ng permiso para mag-operate.

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“We have closed twenty-one (21) since the April 3. The remaining OTBs and OCBs are currently being closely monitored by GAB personnel to ensure strict compliance with the order,” sambit ni Mitra.

Bahagi ng responsibilidad ng GAB ang maabatan ang pag-operate ng mga ilegal na bookies na nagagamit sa ilegal na gawain ng ilang grupo sa industriya.

“In order to stay true to its mandate, the GAB ensures that all OTBs and OCBs follow the rules of the government on permits and licenses,” pahayag ni Mitra.