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PRCI reaches out to GAB, racing public on several issues

PRCI Guests
PRCI racing manager Antonio "Oyet" Alcasid Jr. and other guests during the 19th TOPS "Usapang Sports on Air" via Zoom.

THE Philippine Racing Club, Inc. (PRCI) will take the necessary steps to rectify any shortcomings resulting from its newly-launched mobile off-track betting (MOTB) stations recently.

PRCI will also cooperate with any investigation to be conducted by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, regarding concerns and complaints of the betting public, including the immediate release of unpaid dividends.

Speaking at the 19th “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom last Thursday, PRCI racing manager Antonio Alcasid, Jr. said the PRCI agreed with GAB “to pay all unpaid winners in last Saturday’s races.

Alcasid admitted the PRCI made a few mistakes regarding the operation of its MOTB stations, but that they are willing to work with GAB to fix the system for the benefit of the horseracing industry.

Last week, nagkaroon ng konting problema sa pagmamadali na mai-launch yun MOTB. Gaya ng mga bagong platform, may problema sa umpisa. But ang PRCI ay lagi naman handa na makipagtulungan sa GAB para maituwid ang lahat,” said Alcasid during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and GAB.

Alcasid, a former top jockey himself, said the PRCI is willing to make it right.

Right now, horseracing is allowed only once a week na pinaghahatian ng tatlong karerahan. Napaka-hirap ito sa isang club na gaya namin na nag-dedepende sa mga tao, sa mga taya.

Sa tatlo kami na lang ang walang online platform. Kaya para makahabol kami, naiisipan ng PRCI na mag- develop ng online, MOTB,” explained Alcasid.

As we speak, inaayos na ang lahat ng problena sa MOTB tulong ng GAB. Nakikipag-coordinate na kami sa GAB para sa kanilang inspection at para mabayaran yun mga taya na dapat bayaran.

We can assure the betting public. In fact, nag-post na ang betting department ng PRCI for our MOTB members/users to check their accounts for their winnings. Kung may mga katanungan pa, handa kami sagutin.

Alcasid admitted they have to defer paying dividends to make sure that the computation is correct.

It’’s a matter of rounding numbers. Syempre sa pagtaya, you have to round up numbers. When computed based on the old system, may mga discrepancy.

Last Nov. 4, GAB Horseracing Betting Division chief Marissa So sent a letter to PRCI EVP/COO Santiago N. Cualoping III informing him that GAB will conduct testing and evaluation of its MOTB system.

In the same letter, So said GAB will be forced to recommend to Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) not to allow the PRCI to host races scheduled on Nov. 21-22 “unless the system parameters hereunder are already fixed/met.

GAB also asked PRCI to submit the report of all events (Races 1-17) last Oct.31 as soon as possible.

GAB wrote that “due to inaccurate application of tax rate and computation of dividends for the races last Oct. 31, the share of the government and some winning bettors may have been prejudiced.