Could the Rise of the Gambling Industry in the Philippines Give Birth to Majestic Casino Resorts?
When the Philippines opened its doors to multi-billion-dollar investments from casino developers, it ushered in a new age for the Filipino entertainment industry. Following the establishment of the City of Dreams, the country’s most lavish integrated casino, it seems there is no stopping the casino industry from flourishing in the country. Plans to establish two similar casinos resort in Cebu have already been discussed, and soon, these Vegas-style casinos might be more common.
Many have been averse to the development of casinos in the country, but the fact remains that Filipinos have always been drawn to gambling. From betting on boxing matches and horse races to playing poker and other card games for cash at different events or even playing bingo at the local mall, some form of gambling is almost always present. In fact, reports indicate that Filipino seniors are among the most active in Indian casinos in the USA. But up until Resorts World Manila and the City of Dreams were established, the casino industry has been largely dominated by PAGCOR. Could these developments be ushering in a shift in how Filipinos view gambling?
Last year, when General Santos City joined forces with Casino Filipino’s Bingo Shower of Millions, they did so in an effort to raise funds for its tourism and livelihood projects, and for the most part, casino games and raffles had been used by PAGCOR for similar projects. There is, however, no denying that a growing gambling industry could do wonders for the Philippine economy. As the gambling industry in nearby Macau continues to decline, Asian gamblers and high-rollers are looking for a new place to gamble. Singapore is well on its way to becoming a gambling destination, but the market is still new, and there’s time for the Philippines to catch up.
Casino resorts, just as Intercasino writes, “usually have a festive and pretty active atmosphere,” making them the perfect destination for those who come to the country in search of fun, as well as a great complement to the myriad of different activities that can already be experienced when visiting the country. These casino resorts also serve to bring new experiences to Filipinos, as they often have Michelin-starred restaurants and great live entertainment options such as concerts.
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