By Zinnia B. Dela Peña (The Philippine
Star) | Updated November 26, 2012 -
MANILA, Philippines - At least four
foreign groups are waiting in the wings to bid for the right to operate a
casino at the Entertainment City along Roxas Blvd. as the government and the
lower house start their probe into allegations bribes were paid in relation to
the $2-billion integrated casino resort being developed by Japanese billionaire
Kazuo Okada.
Manila Rep. and chairman of the House
Committee on Games and Amusements Amado Bagatsing said some four foreign groups
have expressed interest to take part in the development of a world-class gaming
complex in Manila, which the government wants to turn into the country’s
version of the Las Vegas strip.
“There’s a long line waiting should Okada’s
group lose its provisional license to operate a casino. More foreign players want to take part in the
action,” Bagatsing said.
The Department of Justice was directed by the
Office of the President to investigate the alleged $5-million bribe given by
Okada’s Universal Entertainment to Rodolfo Soriano, a close associate of the
former head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The payment was made via a shell
company in Hong Kong and was part of $40 million in transfers made by
Universal’s US affiliate Aruze that are now subject of various investigations
by law enforcement and regulators in the US and Asia. It was made at a time when Universal was
lobbying to win concessions for its casino from ex-President Arroyo’s
administration.
The government last week said it would
revoke Okada’s casino license if this was obtained through bribery.
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Okada’s Tiger Resort Leisure and
Entertainment is one of four groups issued a license to operate a casino in
Pagcor’s Entertainment City. Its goal
was to lure high-limit, VIP gamblers from China allegedly to compete head on with Wynn Macau.
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