(Eagle News) — Senate President Koko Pimentel on Sunday urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to come out with a program for “casino gambling addicts” and for those “whose lives have been destroyed by casino gambling.”
Pimentel made the suggestion after the police revealed that the gunman in the Resorts World Manila attack early Friday was heavily indebted as a result of his gambling activities.
The police said the gambling addiction of Jessie Carlos, 42, a Department of Finance employee who was sacked due to ill-gotten wealth, among others, put a strain on his relationship with his family.
“(This program) is to be implemented by Pagcor and all those with casino franchises,” Pimentel said.
He also emphasized that casinos “should be reminded not take advantage of addicted gamblers or players not having full control of their mental faculties while gambling (like drunk gambling).”
“They should intervene and stop the player from throwing his money away without realizing it,” Pimentel said.
The incident that saw Carlos barge inside Resorts World Manila and set gambling tables on fire to try and steal gambling chips left 37 hotel employees and hotel guests dead, and more than 70 injured.
Majority of the fatalities died of suffocation, while many of those injured sustained their injuries from an ensuing stampede.
Carlos, who was later cornered by authorities, wrapped himself in a blanket, set himself on fire, and then shot himself in the mouth.