The Global South retail shopping complex in Metro Manila is about to get a complete overhaul as billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. plans to convert the site into an integrated casino resort.
Manuel Villar is one of the Philippines’ largest landowners and a commercial and residential real estate developer. Villar recently told the press of his plans to convert the 200-acre property formally known as the Global South retail shopping complex to a casino entertainment destination. According to Forbes, Villar is the second richest person in the Philippines, with a net worth of approximately $7.8 billion.
Partnership and Licensing
Villar also said he has discussed the new resort project with foreign-based gaming operators and may announce a casino partnership in the coming months. He also stated that he wishes to model his new casino resort after the famous Solaire resort in terms of scope and size.
Villar received his gaming license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in 2019, but COVID suspended his 2019 plans. Villar was granted permission from PAGCOR to use his previous gaming license for his new Global South project.
Can Resort Casinos Offer Online Gambling To The Philippines?
No. Domestic casinos in the Philippines cannot offer online gambling services to Philippine residents. Resort Casinos can apply for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) license to provide online casino games, poker, and sports betting online to other countries but not to residents.
Philippine players looking to gamble online should see our PH online casino reviews guide to learn about our top picks for the best online casino destinations. Our team has taken the leg work out and summarized each of our favorite legal online casino sites. Features we typically look for are banking options, bonus options, user interface, game titles, and compliance certificates.
How Many New Casinos Are Coming To The Philippines?
Currently, there are at least three new casinos in the works in the Philippines, with most of them in the Metro Manila area as it is the tourist destination of the Philippines. There is no doubt that the Philippines is looking to expand its gaming staple with new resorts and casinos to attract tourists and produce revenue for the country.
In the future, we expect several more domestic casinos to come to the Metro Manila gaming district as it is close to the main airport and a popular tourist destination. As population and tourism continue to grow, some would say the sky is the only limit, but if you have ever been to Manila, you know that we build resorts into the sky too.