Requirements for the Establishment and Operation of Off-Track Betting Stations
Please review the following requirements set forth for all Philippine Jockey Club Off-Track Betting (OTB) stations.
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Proximity to Schools and Places of Worship: No Off-Track Betting (OTB) station shall be allowed to be established and to operate less than one-hundred (100) meters away from all DepEd-authorized and CHED-accredited schools or training institutions, including but not limited to, TESDA accredited centers and churches or places of worship actively and currently being used as such.
For purposes of this provision, the term "school" shall refer to an institution for learning in the elementary, secondary or tertiary education level, while the term "place of worship" shall refer to a place or building dedicated religious worship exclusively operating on a regular basis and permanently established as such.
The aforesaid distance shall be measured from the point of ingress or egress of the OTB to the nearest point of ingress or egress of the school, training institution, church or place of worship by regular foot traffic.
- Minimum Floor Area: The OTB station working area must be at least forty (40) square meters.
- Viewing Equipment: Video monitors must be provided for ads live and actual running of races.
- Authorized Personnel: Only Club tellers duly authorized by existing Racing Clubs shall be allowed to operate its selling machines.
- GAB Notification: GAB shall be notified immediately and in writing of any decision or action of the Racing Club concerned involving the opening or the temporary/permanent closure of an OTB station.
- Relocation: An existing OTB station transferring to another location shall be considered a new OTB station and shall be required to comply with the requirements therefor.
- Local Permits: City or Municipal permit shall be secured annually in accordance with the procedures and requirements governing the matter.
- Signage and Display: The OTB station name or business name must be conspicuously displayed at the façade of the OTB premises. All valid and existing City or Municipal permit along with valid GAB permit and GAB color ID logo shall be posted or displayed in conspicuous places.
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Proximity to Other OTBs: No new OTB station shall be established less than two hundred fifty (250) meters away an operating OTB station. The aforementioned prescribed minimum distance is not applicable if the Board has determined that the new OTB station does not cater to the same market of the pre-existing OTB station.
Upon location of the new OTB station, Certification issued by the Racing Club concerned is required to prove that it is not designated to accommodate the pre-existing OTB station’s market.
The aforementioned distance shall be measured from the point of ingress or egress of the new OTB machine to the nearest point of ingress or egress of the pre-existing OTB machine by regular foot traffic.
- Valid Permit Required: All OTB operating without a valid GAB approval/permit will be notified by letter for this infraction and will be immediately closed.
- No Minors Allowed: Any OTB station proved to be operating with minors shall be automatically suspended.
- Pedestrian Sidewalks: All OTB stations shall not obstruct the use of sidewalks for pedestrians.
- Illegal Operations: Any OTB found to be operating as an illegal bookie shall be immediately closed without prior notice.
- Provincial Applications: All provincial OTB applications must attach a sketch of the proposed area location and a Certification from the GAB Regional Office after the inspection & that no school or place of worship actively and currently being used as such is within the vicinity.