Off-cockpit stations legal, says MCCI

Contrary to the news reports that have been circulating in various media, the Manila Cockers Club, Inc. (MCCI) operations are legal and valid according to Daniel Victor Lazatin, executive vice president of MCCI.

Lazatin emphasized that MCCI and its off-cockpit betting stations (OCBS) have the necessary permits from the appropriate local government units for the operation of the cockpit in the municipality of Carmona and its OCBS in different cities in Metro Manila which includes Quezon City.

All the OCBS that have the events of MCCI and where gamers are allowed to participate, have obtained the necessary business permits from the corresponding Business Permits Licensing Offices (BPLO) of these cities.

Before an OCBS can get business permit, it is required that they obtain a barangay clearance where the OCBS is located.

These requirements are in compliance with the directives of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) as provided for in its decision dated April 10, which unanimously upheld the legality of the operations of the Manila Cockers Club and its Off-cockpit Betting Stations (OCBS).

The GAB ruled that Manila Cockers was granted a franchise by the Municipality of Carmona, Cavite to establish, maintain and operate a cockpit arena under Municipal Ordinance No. 017-2014.