On May the 4th 2015, it was announced by Melco Crown Resorts Corp that the Philippine casino resort that is City of Dreams Manila was in possession of a full gaming license.
The Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp, also known as Pagcor, initially opened the property with a provisional license that was set under the terms of the country’s casino regulator.
On Monday the regular license was issued by Pagcor in a formal presentation and is valid until 11th June 2033. According to Melco Crown Philippines, City of Dreams Manila received the full license after it had met the minimum $1 billion US Dollar investment threshold.
On December 14th, the City of Dreams Manila had a soft opening, which was then followed by an official opening on February 2nd. On the 30th January, the casino applied for the issue of a regular casino gaming license.
City of Dreams Manila is a partnership with Premium Leisure and Amusement Inc., which is based in Philippines and is a unit of the Premium Leisure Corp that is operated by billionaire Henry Sy.
The property is the second of four integrated resorts that has been planned for Entertainment City in Manila.
By the end of 2014, City of Dreams Manila contained 188 gaming tables, 158 electronic table games and 1508 slot machines. The capacity though for the property is 375 table games, 1700 slots and 1700 electronic table games.
Not only has City of Dreams Manila received their license, so has Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. for its Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila.
The casino first opened on a provincial license on March the 16th 2013 from Pagcor.
Bloomberry said that they applied for their full permit on the 22nd April. However the duration of the full license was not disclosed.
Solaire is one of four casino resorts that has a minimum investment of $1 billion US dollars that Pagcor has approved in an area that is near the Manila Bay which is known as Entertainment City. Solaire was the first to open in Entertainment City.
For both of these casinos, the regular license has the same terms as the provisional license. The provisional license for the property required that the City of Dreams Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino, hired at least 95% of its employees locally.