IT'S ALL IN THE YARDAGE

25 January 2008

In the Philippines, an online gambling operator gets out his tape measure


Would be online gambling operator Emmanuel Jacinto of Barangay Salapungan in the Philippines is having trouble with the public on the location of his new facilities scheduled to launch online gambling as Emaja Internet Gaming Enterprises soon. Demonstrations have disrupted his plans and the traffic despite his possession of full permissions from relevant city and online gambling authorities like PAGCOR.

"Our business is legal. We do not violate any laws," Jacinto said, revealing that the City Engineer's Office issued on November 5, 2007 a certification on November 5 that the measured distance from the E-casino building to Angeles University Foundation Professional School along McArthur Highway is 206 metres. The same certification also confirmed that the distance of the online gaming firm to the Iglesia nil Cristo Church along the McArthur Highway in Barangay Santo Cristo is 222.30 metres.

In the guidelines set by PAGCOR, a proposed Internet casino station must not be within a 200-metre radius from any school and church.

The City Engineer's certifications give the lie to media reports and academic complaints saying that the Internet gaming firm is less than 200 metres away from the two institutions, according to Jacinto.

The Emaja Internet Gaming Enterprise is the third Internet casino in the city, according to Jacinto. Warning signage, including "No minors allowed inside the gaming area;" "No government employees allowed to play;" "No cash no play," and others, will be posted in and outside the Internet casino premises.

Academics added to, or perhaps motivated, the student demonstrations this week; AUF chancellor Emmanuel Angeles earlier denounced the opening of the E-casino. According to Angeles, the facility violated existing laws. "It's only 150 metres away from AUF and it is also near the Iglesia ni Cristo Church and Mother of Perpetual Help School," he said - apparently without measuring the distance himself.

Jacinto said the Internet casino, which will feature games like slot machines, blackjack, and baccarat, will open soon. Local police are reported to be keeping watch against further disruptions.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa