Government workers cannot play but politicians can own a casino?

[robelneo]

I'm ok with laws that prohibit government workers from playing in casinos, but I'm baffled that politicians can own a casino. One example, our country, the Philippines, has many casinos, online or offline, that are owned or operated by politicians, or they have a share from the family corporation that owns casinos in the country.

One congressman admitted to operating an e-sabong in his province, and one mayor is a major shareholder and founder of the company that operates BingoPlus and related gaming brands.

I don't want to spotlight these politicians, but records show that they have shares on this casinos online and physical casinos

So what's the difference between an average government worker and a politician? I consider them both as government workers, as they get their salary from the taxes of the people.

Correct me if I'm wrong with my assumption that they both should have no connection to a gambling platform.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Logically, let's assume a doctor warned you against eating of white bread probably due to your health condition, that doesn't mean that you can not own and run a bread production company, right? In my point of view, the government policy can ban government works from gambling but might not ban them from owning a casino but in a situation where by this government officials (politician like you called it) participates in gambling in their own casino or the one they are affiliated to, they have gone against the law and that's where they can be sanctioned.

[aioc]

There should be a law requiring politicians to sell their stakes if they own a gambling platform; the law is for playing and not for owning. If a government worker is gambling in a casino, the assumption is that they are stealing from the government's coffers, but if they are the owner, they are profiting from gamblers, which are two different meanings.
But I will not vote for politicians who own a casino; they should have moral ascendancy and set an example for their voters.

[xLays]

It’s frustrating that BingoPlus is owned by congressman that should be the owner implementing law about that.

But good thing that these online casinos have been removed from our e-wallets. That move really helped reduce access and, in a way, also limited excessive gambling.
If I’m not mistaken, even their stock price dropped, particularly DigiPlus Interactive Corp.. They also seem to have multiple sister platforms or similar brands like GameZone and ArenaPlus.
If government employees are restricted from engaging in these activities, then congressmen should also be held to the same standard, especially since they are part of the same governing system.

[Oasisman]

As far as I'm aware, there are no laws that prohibit a politician or a government worker from owning a casino/gambling events. However, there should be a conflict of interest when they own one, since there is an existing law that prohibits them from entering any gambling premises/casinos. So, I guess their safest option should be partnering with other people who are not connected with the government. Otherwise, another law will be implemented if proven that they own the gambling facility under their name.

So, this is like the "conservative" side of the PH, believing that government officials should be role models and should not be associated with any gambling activities, and yeah, owning one is far worse than just being a gambler, right?

[Antotena]

I'm ok with laws that prohibit government workers from playing in casinos, but I'm baffled that politicians can own a casino. One example, our country, the Philippines, has many casinos, online or offline, that are owned or operated by politicians, or they have a share from the family corporation that owns casinos in the country.

One congressman admitted to operating an e-sabong in his province, and one mayor is a major shareholder and founder of the company that operates BingoPlus and related gaming brands.

I don't want to spotlight these politicians, but records show that they have shares on this casinos online and physical casinos

So what's the difference between an average government worker and a politician? I consider them both as government workers, as they get their salary from the taxes of the people.

Correct me if I'm wrong with my assumption that they both should have no connection to a gambling platform.

I think there is a difference between a government worker that will use their entire life to work for the government all their life and a politician that will serve probably for 4 years and that's all. I'm not taking any side of anyone but most politicians build their casinos before they get into politics, when Donald Trump the president of United state has a casino which is established before he got interested in politics, the two office are different actually.

However, if it turn out that a politician after serving public office for short term built a casino and doesn't have the means need to be investigated except if it turn out to be a join company by different people. I don't think there is any politician that will serve any public office will have money to construct a casino from their salary, not even a delusional president unless the one that stole money from office, more reason why they need to be properly investigated.

[Supreme Donvic]

What is actually the reason why they decided to ban government workers from gambling how does that affect the government economy everyone should be allowed to exercise their freedom the way they want it especially in cases like this, if the government is against gambling they should stop it totally in the country, because you cannot allow some set of people to be gambling and then preventing some from gambling it is not right and it should be corrected those politicians that are owning gambling companies are not supposed to own a gambling company since the government have decided to restrict government workers from gambling, why will a politician be having a gambling company and the government workers are then prevented to play it is very wrong and things like that should not be seen in a country that practice democracy and human right.
I will really love to know the reason why the prevented company workers from gambling in Philippine.

[leonair]

I'm ok with laws that prohibit government workers from playing in casinos, but I'm baffled that politicians can own a casino. One example, our country, the Philippines, has many casinos, online or offline, that are owned or operated by politicians, or they have a share from the family corporation that owns casinos in the country.

In corrupt countries, this happens, the government makes various laws but their proper implementation is not seen. And those who are connected to politics and hold big government positions corrupt billions of dollars and use them to build various types of businesses, of which casino is one. Common people, ordinary employees are always restricted by various types of laws, but politicians do various things without following the law but there is no one to stop them. Such corruption is seen in maximum Asian countries. That is why in these countries, even though government employees cannot gamble, politicians can own a casino.

[Die_empty]

So what's the difference between an average government worker and a politician? I consider them both as government workers, as they get their salary from the taxes of the people.

Correct me if I'm wrong with my assumption that they both should have no connection to a gambling platform.

Civil servants are the engine of the government. They also serve the government for a long time until they retire. Politicians on the other hand has fixed tenure that might not last for a long time. However, banning civil servants from gambling while Politicians are allowed to invest in it is not fair. Both of them are public servants and the law should affect all of them.

In the US, lawmakers are proposing a law that will restrict Politicians from placing bets on prediction platforms. It has been observed that they might be using insider information to place bets. I think politicians deserve to be banned from gambling because they can easily manipulate gambling outcomes.

[Mindyspace]

I also find it somewhat contradictory. If public employees can't gamble because of conflicts of interest, then politicians having a stake in casinos seems even stranger.

In this case, they are also paid with public money. Therefore, it would be fairer to have clear rules to prevent this type of connection.

[Agbe]

I'm ok with laws that prohibit government workers from playing in casinos, but I'm baffled that politicians can own a casino.

If the politicians are owned the casinos then their targeted audience should be the government workers and not the unemployed or the self-employed. I am even surprised to hear that a country law is prohibiting government workers to gamble, and if they allow the unemployed to gamble, it is exploitation.

[EluguHcman]

Correct me if I'm wrong with my assumption that they both should have no connection to a gambling platform.

I am on the same page with you in this case because if politicians are prohibited to gamble as a course of preventing them from using public funds to gamble, they should also not be permitted to invest in the casinos or associating with any related activities.

That policy seem to be diluted just to wave the public's attention off from how the politicians are spending public funds in gambling where there are numerous of regulatory policies to control offensive activities tied to gambling which them the government or authorities are expected to show lawful examples.

They must be tending to hide under the carpet because if someone can be permitted to own a casino or is a shareholder in the industry, how possible can it be to stop them from gambling? Or is it as they are not dragged to the public they don't gamble?
I see this as a law guiding criminality.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

I'm ok with laws that prohibit government workers from playing in casinos, but I'm baffled that politicians can own a casino. One example, our country, the Philippines, has many casinos, online or offline, that are owned or operated by politicians, or they have a share from the family corporation that owns casinos in the country.

One congressman admitted to operating an e-sabong in his province, and one mayor is a major shareholder and founder of the company that operates BingoPlus and related gaming brands.

Power, those congressman and mayor has the authority and can bend the law in their favor. And nothing against the Philippines, but it is one of the most corrupt countries that's why those who are in power can do anything about it.

Even Atong Ang is still roaming and was not able to be arrested by the police with regards to the case of the missing sabungero's. So as long as they have the power, connection, money, then this corrupt politicians can do it without any repercussions.

[Sandra_hakeem]

I'm ok with laws that prohibit government workers from playing in casinos, but I'm baffled that politicians can own a casino. One example, our country, the Philippines, has many casinos, online or offline, that are owned or operated by politicians, or they have a share from the family corporation that owns casinos in the country.

What were you expecting? Equality between the poor, average and the rich? That's impossible you know. It's quite unfair and there's little to nothing you can do about that, but you can change your stance and dine with them.

So what's the difference between an average government worker and a politician? I consider them both as government workers, as they get their salary from the taxes of the people.

One stands in top position where the national treasury is being shared, one picks up crumbs from the leftover, both bear government staff tags, different treatment.

[Ronsbit]

This is understandable, and it is as easy as this, if the law prohibits government officials from playing games at casinos, politicians too can not play games as well, because they are held by the law. So, if politicians can own casinos and also be shareholders in casino projects, then government officials, too, can own casinos and also become shareholders in casinos. The same law serves everyone the same purpose, so no one is above the other in the eyes of the law.

"What is good for the goose is also good for the gander," so if politicians can run casinos, government workers can aslo do the same too.

"Ceteris paribus"

[Perfectbaby]

I do not also encourage any of them to associate themselves from whatever that is mentioned gambling because they could used that to loot funds from their respective offices while the politicians itself may also be that addicted to gambling where they may never focused on their activities and offices instead they would be thinking about gambling. In fact, not workers should be associating themselves to gamble because it could caused funds misappropriation and whenever this is happening in office its a straight fire.

[danherbias07]

There should be a law requiring politicians to sell their stakes if they own a gambling platform; the law is for playing and not for owning. If a government worker is gambling in a casino, the assumption is that they are stealing from the government's coffers, but if they are the owner, they are profiting from gamblers, which are two different meanings.
But I will not vote for politicians who own a casino; they should have moral ascendancy and set an example for their voters.

Yes, I agree with that. Sell their stakes, shares, or whatever affiliation they have if they will run for the government. If the status of the running government is still an owner or a shareholder of a casino or online casino, then they should be disqualified. Or better, the government should not even allow them to pass or be given a certificate of candidacy unless they clean it up first.

Some say a business owner is different from the gambling politician or government employee, and yet the position can be used to strengthen their chances to win the election. Well, they should just lift the ban on government employees who want to gamble, just to be fair to them. But I will also not vote for those who will just use the power to manipulate things. Also, it's best if we do not patronize their casinos in case they are already in a position.

[Smartvirus]

So what's the difference between an average government worker and a politician? I consider them both as government workers, as they get their salary from the taxes of the people.

They both are civil servants and do fit into the same category as government workers and while that policy is ideal while in active service, I think the point here should be on the timing of owning or buying shares with these casinos.

No mind you, you can either own or buy shares with a casino and later get into elected or appointed offices as a government work. Should it be that you previously owned or after your tenure in service, you invested in these industries, it’s indeed okay. When it happens while you are in active service, that could be seen as a violation and only then can the penalties apply.

[Orpichukwu]

Who are government workers and who are politicians? Are they not the same people? Some just hold higher power and are part of the lawmakers, while some are on the lower grade; if the law says government workers should not get involved in gambling, then there should be no exceptions unless the law permits the owning of casinos.

But as far as I know, most of these politicians own this share, but it's not directly attached to their names. There can only be speculation, but legally you can't see their names attached to the casino as part of the owners unless it's something the law permits.

[Akbarkoe]

Simply put, a casino is a business, and gambling is an act or behavior. This isn't a problem, as politicians can own any business, including casinos, since gambling is legal in your country. This doesn't raise any issues; the regulations only prohibit politicians from gambling. Unless gambling is prohibited in your country, then it could be a problem.

However, the interesting question is why are government employees prohibited from gambling? Do they think about the negative impacts? And why do they legalize it for the benefit of their citizens? Is this a deliberate attempt to keep the public gambling for the tax revenue?