Bloomberry Resorts Corp, a prominent name in the Philippines’ gaming industry, debuted its latest venture, Solaire Resort North, on Saturday, situated in Vertis, Quezon City, just north of Metro Manila. This newly minted casino complex, boasting an investment of $1.0 billion, introduces 526 opulent rooms and suites alongside a bustling casino floor featuring 2,669 electronic gaming machines and 163 tables spread across four levels, as confirmed by the firm.
Quezon City welcomes Solaire Resort North:
Aiming to redefine the entertainment landscape of Quezon City, Bloomberry’s chairman and chief executive, Enrique Razon, emphasized during the inauguration ceremony that Solaire Resort North aspires to be the premier “destination resort of choice” for both locals and foreigners, promising to “elevate the entertainment experience.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Alejandro Tengco, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), graced the inauguration ceremony, underscoring the significance of this milestone in the country’s hospitality and gaming sectors.
Bloomberry’s expansion endeavors extend beyond the borders of Quezon City, with the company’s flagship property, Solaire Resort & Casino, having made its mark in Entertainment City, Manila, back in 2013. Additionally, Bloomberry oversees operations at the Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino in Jeju, South Korea.
Government commitment to tourism enhancement:
President Marcos Jr. voiced the government’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a premier tourist destination, citing a remarkable surge in inbound tourism, which saw a staggering increase from 2.65 million visitors in 2022 to 5.45 million in 2023. According to GGRAsia, he stated, “I am certain that Solaire Resort North is with us in our desire to capitalize on this strength further to improve our position in the global hospitality sector.”
In tandem with the sentiments of President Marcos Jr., the head of Pagcor, Alejandro Tengco, hailed the opening of Solaire Resort North as the dawn of “a new era” not only for the gaming industry but also for tourism. He reiterated Pagcor’s commitment to fostering growth opportunities that would translate into more jobs and enhanced prospects, particularly within the tourism and leisure sectors.
Anticipating future growth: projections and potential:
Looking ahead, Mr. Razon of Bloomberry expressed his anticipation for Solaire Resort North to reach full operational capacity by 2026, underscoring the company’s long-term vision for the project.
Analysts at Maybank Securities Inc. foresee Solaire Resort North playing a pivotal role in Bloomberry’s revenue stream, projecting it to contribute 9 percent of the company’s gross gaming revenue by 2024 and 14 percent by 2025 as the property gains momentum.
Notably, Quezon City Mayor Josefina Belmonte announced a prohibition barring all officials and employees of the Quezon City government, totaling approximately 19,000 individuals, from accessing the casino at Solaire Resort North, underscoring the local government’s stance on gambling regulations.