Quezon authorities deny casino plans in the city

On Monday, a group of “concerned citizens of Quezon City” published an open letter in the media that was addressed to President Rodrigo Duterte and the members of the city council warning that the opening of a casino would have a negative impact on young people.

“The planned casino destroys the city’s sanctity as a major education hub,” it read. “It also disrespects the students and their families who have worked very hard to live close to high-quality and holistic education.”

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the ad also noted that the city council had passed the Gambling Regulatory Ordinance of 2017, which the residents said would “allow the development of Bloombery’s new casino hotel” at the Vertis North development on Agham Road.

In response to the letter, the city council issued a statemen on Tuesday saying there have been yet no application for the development of any casino.

“For the information of the general public, the City Council has not received any application from Bloomberry or any gaming industry operator signifying their intention to establish a casino in Quezon City,” the 38-member council said but highlighted the existence of 66 e-games and e-bingo establishments currently operating in the city, with licenses issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

The council also said the proposed ordinance "specifically laid down tedious requirements and conditions before these games of chance covering e-bingo, off-track betting, online sports betting, casinos, e-games, etc., will be allowed to operate in the city.”

“To date, only the groups from e-bingo, e-games and Pagcor officially have registered their opposition to such strict regulations being proposed by the Quezon City council,” the council added.