MANILA, MARCH 20, 2013 – Bloomberry Resorts Corp (led by port king Enrique Razon Jr) opened its much-anticipated $1bn flagship project Solaire Resorts & Casino to the public on Saturday, graced by President Benigno Aquino III.
The 8.5-hectare development sits five minutes away from SM Mall of Asia and inside the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) Entertainment City, which encloses 8km of reclaimed property.
"I think, in a general sense, our business becomes well-known internationally, raising the image of Manila as a first-class destination," said Michael French, chief operating officer of Solaire. "We certainly contribute to the economic situation through employment. I think it’s part of Entertainment City. All of Entertainment City is about creating a destination that’s competitive."
Advertised to "change the game", Solaire seeks to bring both Las Vegas and Macau to Manila. The casino is expected to attract not just the average gamers but local and foreign high rollers.
Designed by Las Vegas-based Paul Steeman, the property boasts of 500 hotel rooms, 1,200 of the latest slot machines and 295 gaming tables. Ushering into another phase of the development, the public can expect a shopping mall housing 35 to 40 luxury brands, additional 300 hotel suites, a nightclub, a Broadway-style theater with a seating capacity of 1,800, and more parking space.
Genting Hong Kong is eyeing the completion of Resorts World Bayshore City by 2016. SM and Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment are also building integrated resorts within Entertainment City.
Bradley Stone, president of Global Gaming Asset Management, says he likes having competitors. "I like being number one out here for a while. As they say, I like being the ‘prettiest girl in town’ for a while and have people come out to see me and get to know people. So by the time the second place opens, I know who the customers are that I want to go after. I don’t want to be here by myself."
