Philippines tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. to open $1 billion casino resort in Las Piñas next year

Manuel Villar Jr., the wealthiest man in the Philippines, is set to make his debut in the gaming industry with the opening of his first casino resort next year. The casino, part of a planned $1 billion investment, is expected to begin operations by mid-2025.

In an interview with The STAR, Villar revealed that his group is on schedule to open the property next year, which will be the first of two integrated casino resorts. "We can open mid to latter part of next year, but most likely the latter part. The structure is there already, we will just convert the mall," Villar stated.

The new casino will be located in the redeveloped 18,000-square-meter Vista Mall Global South along the C5 Extension in Las Piñas. This location is close to the Brittany Hotel Global South, formerly the Mella Hotel Manila, which is also owned by the Villar Group. This proximity is expected to facilitate a quicker opening of the integrated resort.

While specific details such as the name of the casino, the number of gaming tables, and rooms are yet to be finalized, Villar remains optimistic about the venture. "To me, the canvas is ready. How many tables, I don’t know yet," he commented.

Addressing concerns about competition from the existing Entertainment City in Parañaque, Villar highlighted the strategic advantage of his casino's location. He noted that his casino would be closer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, offering easier access for visiting players.

Beyond the initial casino, Villar has plans for a second property within Villar City, a massive 3,500-hectare mixed-use development spanning 15 towns and cities in Metro Manila and Cavite. Villar City aims to be a comprehensive urban hub featuring an amusement park, an arena large enough to host international concerts, schools, cultural centers, museums, hospitals, universities, churches, and nature parks.

To improve accessibility to Villar City, the Villar Group, through Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI), recently acquired the four-kilometer Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX). The Villar Group secured its casino license during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, prior to the 2018 moratorium on new casino licenses. This moratorium was lifted in 2021, allowing the group to proceed with its casino projects.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported that the country's gaming industry saw a 19.21% increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR), reaching P194.743 billion ($3.33 billion), in the first half of this year compared to the previous year.