Bet station owners protest jai alai closure

Wrong reading.

Operators of jai alai betting stations nationwide have accused the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) of deliberately misinterpreting a Supreme Court (SC) decision to forcibly shut down the Manila fronton, freezing in the process about P2 billion in investments.

The off-fronton operators are mulling filing charges against PAGCOR chairman Efrain Genuino, saying he failed to protect their interest.

"Pagcor invited us to invest in their jai alai operations, requiring us to infuse about P1 million for each betting station," said an off-fronton operator from San Pedro, Laguna who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal.

He said he secured a loan from a bank to raise the P1 million, using his house as collateral.

The operators banded themselves together for a common cause, and urged President Arroyo to keenly monitor the performance of her people particularly those involved in investment generation.

"When Pagcor invited us to invest (in the jai alai operations), we expected the government to protect our investment. What happened here is treachery in the highest order and in my case, I may lose my house... it is murder," the source said.

The SC reaffirmed on June 20 its previous ruling declaring that Pagcor did not have the congressional franchise to operate jai alai, paving the way for the closure of the Manila fronton.

This left off-fronton operators holding the proverbial empty bag.