The number of arrested illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) bet collectors in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental has climbed to 74, authorities said.

Of the number, three were arrested in Bacolod, identified as Riclos Llesos, Orly Tolentino and Ronmark del Rosario, the Bacolod City Police Office said in a report.

Mengie Abellar, Raylin Dayrit, Teresita Juanga, Ryan Loquinario, Almer Casimeros, and Eugene Ejosa were apprehended by the police in the cities of Victorias, Himamaylan, Sagay, Escalante, as well as in the towns of Calatrava and E.B. Magalona, according to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.

The apprehension is due to the intensified campaign against the proliferation of “bookies” or illegal betting outlets using STL as a front.

These “bookies” use the same numbers drawn by STL, while illegal bet collectors, also referred to as “riders,” use ID cards of STL employees and collect bets that are not remitted to the government.

“Bookies” is an unauthorized form of STL that directly competes with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s legitimate operations.

Republic Act 9287, which increases penalties for the illegal number games in the country, aims to eradicate these activities and punish those involved, including bettors, personnel and government officials, while also protecting witnesses and incentives for law enforcement officers.

Illegal STL collectors or agents may be imprisoned for eight to 10 years, authorities said.

Personnel or staff of illegal numbers game operations will face imprisonment for six to eight years.

Police investigations indicated that financiers of illegal gambling are paying the recommended bail set by the court for the arrested bet solicitors, who then resume their illegal activities./WDJ