Online raffles became a sensation on social media because of their cheaper entry price and big prizes for their winners.
However, the government considered it unregulated as it was not registered under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Despite being illegal, several public figures, including Fliptop rapper Mark Kevin ‘Tipsy D’ Andrade, kept operating their online raffles.
On October 20, Tipsy D’s online raffle ended after he was put under the custody of the authorities during one of his live streams.
In the video, Andrade was drawing numbers when the members of the PNP suddenly arrived and asked them to lie down.
The lucky winner of that raffle was promised to win an SUV and pickup.
According to DTI, online raffles could be legalized as long as they are appropriately registered under Section 1, Rule XII and Section 2, Rule XIII of the IRR of RA 7394, otherwise called the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the PNP said they were only protecting the people lured by the said online raffles.
“Walang mga license to. Bakit ba pinagbabawal ng batas kapag wala kang license? Basically because wala kang hahabulin,” PNP said.