Aston PTE Ltd., a Singapore-based company, was the winner of the bidding for floating casino M/V Philippine Dream. City Revenue Election Officer Emir Abutasil, chairman of the Bureau that organized the bidding, said Aston submitted a tender of $1.3 million. The auction took place at the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s office in Lapu-Lapu City.

“The Bureau auctioned the floating casino after its owner failed to pay $1.4 million in tax liabilities,” Officer Abutasil explained. “The winning bidder can start paying for its bid at any of the BIR-accredited banks in Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.”

The Philippine Dream is a floating hotel and entertainment complex, which includes a gambling floor with several gaming tables such as poker, baccarat, roulette, blackjack and craps. It also houses an important number of slot machines and videopoker machines.

Singapore-based Qaswa PTE Ltd. and Intercontinental Surplus Inc. were the two other bidders. The companies submitted tenders of $1.3 million and $715,000, respectively.