Opol casino found to be operating without a business permit

Misamis Oriental provincial board found out the Grand Imperial Casino has been operating without a business permit since it opened last December.

The Philipines.- The controversy surrounding the new PAGCOR casino venue, the Grand Imperial, continues after the Misamis Oriental provincial board revealed the casino venue has been operating without a business permit.

Authorities also admitted the casino complex is violating the rule that doesn’t allow it to be located near a church, a nursery school or a high school.

The Grand Imperial Casino has been involved in different controversies since it opened its doors as residents and officials were not properly informed about the nature of its business.

Provincial board member Gerardo Sabal III told Rappler that the casino operator has “no right to operate without the required permits”.

A few days ago, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro published an open letter against the casino venue in Barangay Taboc. He was quickly joined by members of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) who also expressed their opposition against the casino complex.

The leaders of the two religious groups will start a signature campaign against the casino while Archbishop Jose Cabantan is preparing a new letter against the gambling hub.

According to Rappler, IFI Bishop Felixberto Calang of Cagayan de Oro said: “IFI strongly opposes any form of gambling. Casino promotes games of chance, gambling.”