Jueteng
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) |
Jueteng (pronounced hwe-teng) is an illegal numbers game played in the Philippines. Jueteng originated from China and means "flower" (jue) and "bet" (teng). Although illegal, it is a widely popular game with participation that crosses most, if not all social and economic boundaries, played by rich and poor alike. With long odds and no limits on minimum or maximum bets, the lure of quick riches through a lucrative payout is by far its strongest appeal. [1]
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History [edit]
Spanish government sponsored gambling or franchise of the governor-general in Manila.[2] It was introduced by Spanish colonizers dating back from 1800's.[3] Tickets were even sold in ferries or boats to Visayas and Mindanao. [4] During the 1900's Chinese migrants become common operators and financiers. Later the locals took over the whole operation
Culture [edit]
As it is a part of the culture of the Filipino. It is embedded from the grassroots of a Filipino culture. Even the national hero José Rizal has won in this game. The illusion of easy winning gives addiction
The game [edit]
To play the game, the cobradors or cabo usually knock on the door of the house of the bettor. Although some of the cobrador have stalls in the streets. The bettor picks two digits from 1 to 37. A bet can be as low as 25 cent. A bet of one Peso can win from ₱ 400.00 to ₱ 1,000.00 depending on the location.
Small Town Lottery [edit]
Although much has been done to curtail or eradicate this form of unregulated gambling by government and community leaders, it appears that such efforts have fallen by the wayside due to its vast popularity, and the poverty which cripples the country. Ironically, in the 80s, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) once sanctioned and operated a similar game, called "Small Town Lottery," which spawned the popularity of the game.
Scandals [edit]
Jueteng was brought to notoriety in 2000 during the impeachment proceedings of deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada, who was eventually found guilty of plunder on 12 September 2007 after receiving millions in illegal payoffs, including from gambling profits. Another political scandal erupted in June 2005 involving allegations that relatives of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received payouts from jueteng operators. In 2010, some politicians, such as the now Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Jinggoy Estrada however, proposed that the jueteng must be legalized and taxed so that its profits will go to the government. The newly-installed administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III rejected the proposal to legalize jueteng and instead, he directed the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to formulate a comprehensive plan to combat and to end the operations of jueteng in the Philippines.
References [edit]
- ^ TTY. ROMEO V. PEFIANCO. "Jueteng is Embedded in Local Culture". Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ TTY. ROMEO V. PEFIANCO. "Lottery/jueteng since 1893". Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "POLICING AMERICA’S EMPIRE: The United States, The Philippines, and The Rise of the Surveillance State". University of Wisconsin Press: 156–157.
- ^ "Yes to Jueteng!". Retrieved 2012-09-19.
