No application for jai alai transfer: Tuba mayor

A TOP official in Tuba town said that there have been no applications yet for the transfer of jai alai operations in the municipality.

Mayor Florencio Bentrez of Tuba town said the decision to approve or trash the application will come when he sees the actual papers for the operation.

Sun.Star Baguio sources said the La Trinidad jai alai wagering station is set to apply for permits in nearby Tuba and Sablan.

Preparations for the move are reportedly under way as Mayor Greg Abalos said no permits will be given the operation after Dec. 31.

Abalos is allegedly just waiting for the expiration of the permits held by Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation given by the previous mayor.

The permit is under jai alai operator Rene de Castro backed by the lawyer Angelo Santos from the law firm of Raymond Fortun, which is representing Meridien Gaming Corp.

The jai alai operations are computer based, allowing de Castro to set up and operate in Kilometer 3 here an internet café and an online jai alai and a wagering station.

Meridien employs 300 bet collectors who are allowed to take bets anywhere in the region.

The company paid a total of P7,048, broken down as P3,993 in business taxes and P3,055 in regulatory fees, to the local government.

The company has acquired a Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) certificate of registration to allow gaming in the Cagayan free port, with Meridien allegedly holding permits to operate Small Town Lottery in Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur and Bambang towns and to test its virtual game network on Camarines Norte.

Ceza also granted Meridien the authority to license off-fronton stations anywhere within the free port and in any place allowed by law. (Ma. Elena Catajan)