Posted on: 30/12/2009 

Betting on greyhound dog races may soon be added as a new form of state-sanctioned gambling in the country.

This after the House of Representatives granted a legislative franchise to the Southeast Asia Greyhound Racing Club Inc. authorizing the firm to operate and maintain a greyhound racetrack in Rizal, Pampanga or Laguna.

Now awaiting approval in the Senate, House Bill 5648 also allows the SAGRC to put up off-track betting stations in any part of the country provided that proper local government licenses and permits are secured. The legislative franchise is for a period of 25 years.

Popular in the United States, Canada, Spain and Mexico, greyhound racing is a sport involving greyhound dogs who race by chasing a lure in the form of an artificial rabbit on the track until they arrive at the finish line.

Although considered a sport in many countries, concern for the welfare of racing dogs has been the object of debates among operators and animal welfare groups.

There is no provision in the legislative franchise that requires proper care for active or retired race animals.

However, Marikina Rep. Del De Guzman, the House Senior Deputy Majority Leader, denied that the measure does not contain provisions guaranteeing animal welfare.

“We asked proponents of the measure to insert provisions that would make sure race dogs are taken cared of,” De Guzman said.

Authored by Reps. Ferjenel Biron (Lakas-Kampi, Iloilo), Roman Romulo (Lakas-Kampi, Pasig City) and Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Lakas-Kampi, Romblon), HB 5648 has been approved on third and final reading by the Lower House.

Under the bill, greyhound racing will be supervised by the Games and Amusements Board. Officials and personnel employed by the SAGRC will also have to secure licenses from the GAB.

The franchise holder has been given three years to construct a racetrack and secure all pertinent government permits and licenses before it could operate.

The legislative franchise provides that the grantee must maintain an “orderly, clean and honest greyhound racing” and should guarantee that the computerized and mechanical devices to be used for its operations are working properly.

Just like horse racing, greyhound races may be held on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays of the year, except Thursdays and Fridays of the Holy Week. Two weekdays may be added by the franchise holder.

Proponents said receipts from the betting corresponding to the fractions of less than P0.10 eliminated from the dividends paid to winning tickets will be set aside and distributed as follows: 50 percent for the GAB; 25 percent to government hospitals where the racetrack is located; and 25 percent for the rehabilitation of drug users.