Philippine-listed casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is not backing down from its plan to construct another casino outside Manila’s Entertainment City gaming zone despite being met with opposition.
Bloomberry chairman Enrique Razon Jr. is determined to push through with its planned hotel and casino development in Quezon City, although its construction will be moved to next year, according to the Manila Standard report.
It would be recalled that Bloomberry initially planned to turn a 1.56-hectare property within Vertis North in Quezon City into a mixed-use development with hotel and casino components this year. However, the property has yet to be cleared of informal settlers.
At the sidelines of the 43rd Philippine Business Conference, Razon said: “It [Quezon City casino project] will push through. We will start construction sometime next year and for completion after two years.”
Bloomberry owns and operates Solaire Resort and Casino, the first integrated resort to open in state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Entertainment City.
Bloomberry unit Sureste Properties Incorporated bagged the Vertis North property in 2014 after submitting a negotiated offer, which was then accepted by the National Housing Authority.
Razon’s casino plans were met with opposition, particularly from Belle Corporation, which is behind the City of Dreams Manila resort.
On Monday, the so-called “concerned citizens of Quezon City” called on President Rodrigo Duterte to block casino developments in the city due to the risk gambling poses to local youths.
The group claimed the local government had already passed the Gambling Regulatory Ordinance of 2017, which will pave the way for “the construction of Bloomberry Resorts’ new casino hotel” at the Vertis North development.
Members of the Quezon City council quickly responded to the paid ad, saying that the body has not received any formal applications for the construction of a casino in the city.
