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Entertainment City
Entertainment City
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Entertainment City, also known as E-City (formerly PAGCOR City and Manila Bay Tourism City), is a gaming and entertainment complex under development by PAGCOR spanning an area of 8 km2 (3.1 sq mi) in Bay City, Metro Manila. It was first envisioned by PAGCOR in 2002 with Resorts World having the first global brand casino hotel opening nearby in August 2009, barely two years after the PAGCOR Board of Directors made the open call to global casino investors. It lies at the western side of Roxas Boulevard and south of SM Central Business Park (SM Mall of Asia), part of Parañaque.[1]

Key Information

The project is officially named as the Bagong Nayong Pilipino–Entertainment City through an executive order by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and has been called several other names by the press. The most common name being referenced is "Entertainment City". The site has been declared a PEZA-approved economic zone, and in 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte renamed Entertainment City to Expo Pilipino Entertainment City after the exposition for the centennial celebration of Philippine independence in 1998 called Expo Pilipino.

Hotels and casinos

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Originally, four integrated resort projects have been qualified in accordance with the terms of reference and are under construction by phases.[2]

  • Solaire Resort & Casino was the first integrated resort casino complex to open in Entertainment City, with a launch at a costing $1 million on 16 March 2013. Built at a cost of US$1.2 billion, the resort casino sits on 8.3 hectares of land. It is owned by Bloomberry Resorts Corporation of port magnate Enrique Razon.
  • City of Dreams Manila was the second resort casino complex to open at Entertainment City. It is owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation, a joint venture between Melco-Crown and its local partner Belle Corporation of mall magnate Henry Sy of SM Investments Corporation. It was soft-launched on December 14, 2014, with a grand opening on February 2, 2015. Built at a cost of $1.3 billion, the resort casino sits on a 6.2-hectare property at the Entertainment City gaming complex, featuring three luxurious hotel brands: Nobu, Nüwa, and Hyatt Regency with an aggregate of 950 rooms. The Fortune Egg structure is its most prominent featured design.[3]
  • Okada Manila (formerly Manila Bay Resorts) is the third resort casino complex to open in Entertainment City. It is owned by Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment, Inc., the Philippine subsidiary of Universal Entertainment Corporation. It features a large fountain and an indoor beach club. The resort casino opened on December 30, 2016.
  • Westside City Resorts World (formerly Resorts World Bayshore) is an upcoming integrated resort casino complex within Entertainment City. The gaming resort, owing to its location on the west side of the Entertainment City complex, was renamed as such in 2014. When completed, it was planned include Hotel Okura Manila, Westin Hotel, Kingsford Hotel, Genting Grand and Crockfords Tower offering some 1,500 guest rooms. It was expected to start initial operations in 2021, but was persistently delayed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is currently targeting to open in the third quarter of 2026.[4] The resort casino is owned by Travellers International Hotels Group and its partner the Genting Group, which owns the Resorts World Brand and the real estate developer, Megaworld Corporation of Andrew Tan.
  • Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside (formerly Grand Westside Hotel) is a twin-tower hotel complex within the Westside City township. It is a landmark development by Megaworld Corporation. It is currently the largest hotel in the Philippines by room count, offering 1,530 guest rooms. Construction started in 2019, and the hotel was completed and inaugurated on June 22, 2024.
  • NayonLanding is the upcoming integrated resort casino complex, across from Okada Manila. It was intended to be built by Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. and to include the new Nayong Filipino cultural theme park as part of its features. The new operator was expected to groundbreak on August 9, 2018.[5] The project is currently stalled due to the five-year moratorium on new casinos in Entertainment City.[6]

SMDC Festival Grounds

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The Eraserheads during their reunion concert at the SMDC Festival Grounds on December 22, 2022

The SMDC Festival Grounds is a two-hectare[7] urban open space in Entertainment City, directly opposite Solaire Resort. Owned by the SM Development Corporation (SMDC), it can accommodate over 55,000 attendees, making it an ideal venue for large-scale events, including concerts and music festivals featuring both local and international acts.[8]

The grounds' inaugural event, POPstival, occurred on October 21, 2022, showcasing a lineup of K-pop and P-pop performers such as Alamat, BB Girls, Be'O, Bini, Hyolyn, KAIA, Loona, Park Bom, Press Hit Play, SB19, and Viviz.[9] Subsequently, the venue hosted the first multi-day festival, 88rising's Head in the Clouds, on December 9 and 10, 2022, with a lineup including Joji, Got7's Jackson Wang, Niki, Rich Brian, and former Day6 member Jae Park.[10]

Ben&Ben's "homecoming" concert on December 18, 2022, marked the first time a band headlined at the venue, drawing an estimated crowd of 65,000.[11] This record was surpassed just days later on December 22 by the Eraserheads reunion concert, "Huling El Bimbo 2022", attracting around 75,000 attendees.[12]

The final iteration of the Rakrakan Festival took place at the grounds on November 25 and 26, 2023, featuring over 170 rock artists led by Rico Blanco and Ely Buendia.[13] Additionally, the venue hosted a reunion concert for the band Rivermaya on February 17, 2024.[14]

Ed Sheeran performed on March 9, 2024, the first time a solo international artist headlined a concert at the grounds. It was part of his +–=÷× (Mathematics) Tour, with Calum Scott and Ben&Ben opening the show,[15] and the latter performing "Maybe the Night" with Sheeran.[16]

See also

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References

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[edit]
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Entertainment City

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Entertainment City is an expansive gaming and integrated resort complex spanning roughly 8 square kilometers of reclaimed land along in , , , spearheaded by the government-owned (PAGCOR). Developed to position the as a leading Asian destination for and gaming revenue, the district encompasses luxury resorts, high-end hotels, convention centers, retail outlets, and entertainment venues modeled after Las Vegas-style developments. The centerpiece resorts include Solaire Resort Entertainment City, which opened in 2013 as the inaugural $1.2 billion property on an 8.3-hectare site featuring extensive gaming floors and hospitality amenities; , occupying 44 hectares with opulent facilities; and , contributing to the cluster's draw for high-rollers and tourists. These establishments have generated substantial gross gaming revenue for PAGCOR, supporting national infrastructure and social programs while spurring ancillary developments like condominiums and office spaces in the surrounding Aseana area. Ongoing expansions, such as the $1 billion Westside City integrated resort, underscore the district's evolution amid recent shifts in regulatory oversight, including PAGCOR's divestment from casino operations to focus on licensing and enforcement. While lauded for economic contributions, the complex has drawn scrutiny over potential social costs associated with large-scale gambling, though empirical data highlights its role in tourism recovery and fiscal gains post-pandemic.

History

Conception and Initial Planning

The (PAGCOR), a government-owned entity established to regulate gaming and generate national revenue, first envisioned Entertainment City in 2002 as an integrated tourism and gaming complex modeled after , aimed at bolstering the Philippine economy through high-yield entertainment and tourism sectors. This initiative sought to leverage the country's geographic advantages and existing gaming infrastructure to attract foreign visitors and capital, thereby diversifying revenue streams amid challenges in traditional sectors like , without dependence on foreign aid or government subsidies beyond PAGCOR's regulatory framework. The project was initially conceptualized as Manila Bay Tourism City, with PAGCOR applying that year for the designation of a reclamation area as a tourism enterprise zone to facilitate development. By 2007, the plan was formally unveiled as PAGCOR Entertainment City, focusing on an 8 square kilometer (approximately 800 hectare) site in Parañaque City, selected for its strategic proximity to —less than 10 kilometers away—and panoramic views of , which were deemed essential for appealing to international tourists and investors. The location's accessibility via existing roadways and its position on reclaimed land minimized initial land acquisition costs while maximizing potential for large-scale development. PAGCOR's rationale emphasized causal links between gaming and economic multipliers, such as job creation and infrastructure spin-offs, projecting the complex to draw millions of visitors annually through non-gaming attractions integrated with casinos. Initial planning prioritized public-private partnerships, with PAGCOR soliciting bids from international operators to fund and build integrated resorts comprising hotels, casinos, retail, and entertainment venues, thereby channeling into the project. This approach was grounded in PAGCOR's mandate to maximize gaming-derived revenues for national development, with early discussions in reviving stalled reclamation efforts to ensure the site's viability. Foreign firms were favored for their expertise in destination resorts, as evidenced by subsequent license awards, though the core planning phase focused on zoning regulations and environmental clearances rather than operational details.

Development Phases and Key Milestones

The initial development phase of Entertainment City in the early focused on licensing private operators to build flagship integrated resorts, spurred by PAGCOR's policy to leverage foreign investment for tourism-driven revenue without heavy government funding. Solaire Resort & Casino opened on March 21, 2013, as the district's first operational property, enabling immediate gross gaming revenue contributions estimated at over 10 billion annually by mid-decade through efficient public-private execution that bypassed prolonged bureaucratic approvals. This milestone shifted the project from conceptual planning, initiated around 2007 on reclaimed land, to tangible economic output, with subsequent inflows funding infrastructure like roads and utilities. Subsequent phases accelerated with City of Dreams Manila's soft opening on December 14, 2014, backed by a $1.2 billion investment from Melco Crown Entertainment, which introduced high-capacity gaming floors and hotels to capture Asian high-roller markets. followed with its preview operations launch on December 16, 2016, via a $2.4 billion commitment from , expanding total resort space and demonstrating causal momentum from initial successes attracting competitive bids over state-led delays. By 2019, these openings had generated over 100 billion in cumulative gaming taxes for the government, underscoring the model's reliance on operator-driven timelines rather than centralized planning. The 2020s phase encountered setbacks from COVID-19 restrictions, which halted expansions and reduced occupancy, yet policy adaptations like eased quarantines post-2021 enabled recovery, with licensing surges post-2022 boosting new project approvals amid gross gaming revenue rebounding to pre-pandemic levels by 2023. In April 2025, International Entertainment Corporation announced a $1 billion expansion pledge for its New Coast Hotel Manila property in the district, targeting integrated resort upgrades to sustain growth through private capital amid PAGCOR's broader regulatory reforms. PAGCOR's parallel push for privatizing its Casino Filipino operations by early 2026 further emphasizes market efficiency, freeing resources to oversee private-led developments like Entertainment City without operational conflicts.

Land Reclamation and Infrastructure Buildout

The development of Entertainment City relied on approximately 8 km² of reclaimed land along in City, transformed through coordinated efforts by the (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority. Initial planning and announcements for the project occurred in 2008, building on prior Bay City reclamation works dating to the 1970s, with specific expansion and fortification for gaming infrastructure advancing in the ensuing years to create a stable platform amid the bay's tidal and storm influences. Seawalls and drainage systems were engineered into the reclaimed terrain, incorporating perimeter barriers and channeled outflows designed to handle heavy rainfall and surge events, as detailed in environmental impact assessments for coastal projects. Infrastructure buildout encompassed road networks, utilities, and connectivity enhancements funded primarily by PAGCOR through land and public-private partnerships, alongside equity from resort operators. Key elements included the 1.7-kilometer internal Entertainment City road, operational by late 2016 to facilitate within the zone. Links to were bolstered via at-grade feeder roads and the , enabling efficient access for visitors and logistics. Utilities integration featured robust power distribution systems tied to the national grid, supporting uninterrupted 24/7 operations across high-demand facilities, with completion aligned to phased resort openings from onward as per PAGCOR oversight. Drainage and flood mitigation features have demonstrated resilience against typhoon-induced events, such as those in and subsequent storms, allowing sustained functionality without systemic failures reported in official operations.

Location and Layout

Geographical and Urban Context

Entertainment City occupies a 120-hectare site of reclaimed land along the waterfront in , , , extending westward from . This coastal positioning, approximately 11 kilometers southwest of 's , leverages proximity to urban centers while providing waterfront access for and . The district's engineered supports dense, high-rise developments, including integrated resorts, on originally submerged in the . Adjacent to , a 204-hectare mixed-use immediately to the east, Entertainment City benefits from shared urban and complementary land uses that enhance regional economic clustering. Northward, it interfaces with the complex in City, fostering spillover effects where visitors engage in sequential activities across retail, entertainment venues, and gaming facilities. The site's features persistent high humidity, typically ranging from 70% to 85%, and exposure to seasonal typhoons, with the averaging 20 such systems annually that can bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to . Structures within Entertainment City employ modern engineering, including elevated foundations and wind-resistant materials, to counteract these environmental pressures and ensure operational continuity.

Accessibility and Supporting Infrastructure

Entertainment City maintains strong connectivity to (NAIA) through dedicated highway infrastructure, including the , a 12.5-kilometer elevated fully operational since 2017, which links the airport's terminals directly to the district via connections to the (SLEX) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX). This expressway, designed to handle up to 80,000 vehicles daily, has streamlined access for air travelers, cutting typical journey times to Entertainment City to 10-15 minutes during low-congestion periods compared to pre-expressway routes exceeding 30 minutes. Complementary ground transport includes at-grade feeder roads and shuttle services operated by integrated resorts, providing seamless transfers from NAIA drop-off points and on-site garages accommodating thousands of vehicles across the district's facilities. These elements, combined with proximity to Macapagal , enable efficient visitor ingress, supporting peak-hour throughput for gaming, conventions, and events without reliance on congested urban arterials. Future enhancements involve rail integrations, such as the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and extensions projected for completion in the late 2020s, which will link NAIA to Entertainment City via underground and elevated lines, potentially reducing dependency on roadways and accommodating mass arrivals during high-demand periods. Infrastructure investments in the 2020s have focused on road widening and signal optimizations along Aseana Avenue and adjacent thoroughfares to manage casino-induced traffic surges, with these upgrades prioritizing capacity expansion over legacy bottlenecks to sustain for the district's core activities.

Major Facilities and Attractions

Integrated Resorts and Casinos


Solaire Resort & Casino, operated by Resorts Corporation, was the first integrated resort to open in Entertainment City on March 21, 2013. It spans a gaming floor of 30,200 square meters accommodating approximately 400 gaming tables, 2,357 slot machines, and 200 electronic table games, alongside 39 VIP rooms tailored for high-roller patrons. The property includes 793 hotel rooms and emphasizes VIP services such as private lounges for elite players. Okada Manila, developed by Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Incorporated under Corporation, commenced operations on December 2, 2016. The resort features a gaming area exceeding 35,000 square meters with capacity for 599 gaming tables and 4,263 electronic gaming machines, complemented by 993 luxury hotel rooms. It prioritizes high-rollers through expansive VIP facilities and junket operations to attract international clientele. City of Dreams Manila, managed by , opened on August 14, 2015, as a key PAGCOR-licensed property in the complex. Operated through a , it includes multiple towers with over 1,300 rooms, a floor supporting high-volume table games and slots, and dedicated mass and VIP gaming segments focused on rolling chip volumes from premium players. Non-gaming elements such as theaters and retail outlets form a substantial portion of the development to support diversified visitor experiences. Collectively, operational resorts provide over 3,000 rooms and capacity for more than 1,400 gaming tables, with a strategic emphasis on VIP high-rollers via dedicated salons and international marketing. PAGCOR-licensed integrated resort operations across the , predominantly in Entertainment City, recorded PHP in gross gaming for the first half of 2025, underscoring their scale and market traction. This model integrates with extensive non-gaming amenities—including , dining, and performance venues—to foster balance and position the hubs as alternatives to Macau's gaming-heavy by appealing to broader tourist demographics.

Convention Centers and Entertainment Venues

The SMDC Festival Grounds serves as a primary outdoor entertainment venue in Entertainment City, , with a capacity exceeding 50,000 attendees for large-scale concerts and events. Opened in the 2010s, it has hosted major performances including the reunion concert "Huling El Bimbo" on December 22, 2022, which admitted 50,000 ticket-holders, and the Wonderful Moments Music Festival on December 6-7, 2025, featuring artists such as BINI, , and . These events underscore its role in attracting diverse crowds for non-gaming entertainment, broadening the district's appeal beyond casino-focused activities. Integrated resorts within Entertainment City incorporate convention facilities tailored for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Okada Manila, for instance, features the Grand Ballroom accommodating up to 1,500 guests with advanced audiovisual equipment, alongside multiple meeting rooms totaling over 3,700 square meters of event space. The resort earned recognition as the Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel in the at the 2025 TTG Travel Awards, highlighting its suitability for international corporate gatherings and expos. Similarly, Solaire Resort Entertainment City provides event spaces integrated with its amenities, supporting business functions proximate to retail outlets for enhanced attendee experiences. These venues facilitate family-oriented attractions by linking entertainment and conventions with adjacent shopping districts, countering perceptions of Entertainment City as exclusively adult-centric. Proximity to retail components allows for combined visits, promoting broader visitor demographics including non-gamblers.

Retail and Residential Components

The retail infrastructure in Entertainment City integrates luxury shopping outlets directly within its major resorts, offering high-end brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada at facilities like Solaire Resort and Casino. These outlets cater primarily to affluent visitors and residents, emphasizing branded apparel, accessories, and jewelry alongside resort amenities. Complementing these are adjacent commercial spaces in the neighboring Aseana City district, a 107-hectare mixed-use development along Manila Bay that includes Parqal, a walkable retail and recreation block with groceries, health outlets, and dining options. Aseana's proximity—directly bordering Entertainment City's southern edge—enhances retail accessibility, with developments like Aseana Square providing additional outlets focused on everyday consumer goods. Residential components emphasize mid-rise towers designed for middle-income buyers, featuring amenities such as pools, gardens, and bay views to promote sustained habitation. SMDC's Field Residences, located along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in , offers one- to three-bedroom units proximate to Entertainment City's shopping and transport hubs, drawing families with its suburban-resort hybrid model spanning 12,524 square meters across multiple towers. Similarly, SMDC Gold Residences comprises eight mid-rise towers in the Gold City enclave, providing studio to family units with direct access to Manila Bay's entertainment precinct, marketed for their rental yield potential amid the area's growth. These projects, developed since the mid-2010s, underscore a shift toward non-gaming , with Westside City Resorts incorporating ready-for-occupancy residential condos that report solid occupancy through flexible leasing models tied to the district's vitality. Such elements collectively bolster long-term occupancy by integrating housing with commercial vibrancy, evidenced by ongoing unit sales and rentals despite broader residential inventory pressures.

Economic Impact

Gaming Revenue and Government Contributions

The Philippine gaming industry's gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached PHP 214.75 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 26% increase from the same period in 2024, with integrated resorts—including those in Entertainment City—contributing PHP 93.36 billion, or approximately 43% of the total. PAGCOR, the state regulator overseeing these operations, projects total agency revenues of PHP 116.65 billion for the full year 2025, driven significantly by shares from integrated resort gaming activities that exceed 40% of the forecast. These inflows derive from PAGCOR's franchise fees, regulatory shares, and direct operations, with Entertainment City's resorts such as Solaire and Okada Manila forming a core component of the private-sector GGR base. PAGCOR's gaming revenues fund substantial government contributions, including an estimated PHP 77 billion remittance to the national in , representing over two-thirds of projected agency income and supporting , , and fiscal priorities. Allocations have included relief efforts, such as PHP 67 million in aid to typhoon-affected communities in recent years, enabling post-storm rebuilding and emergency response without drawing from general revenues. While not directly tied to a , these proceeds bolster national funds like the Investment Corporation through treasury channels, prioritizing capital for development projects over alternative taxation. Compared to pre-2010 baselines, when PAGCOR's annual industry GGR hovered below PHP 50 billion amid limited resort infrastructure, 2025 projections reflect over fivefold growth, attributable to Entertainment City's expansion and regulatory maturation since the early 2010s. This escalation underscores gaming's role as a net fiscal positive, with PAGCOR data emphasizing sustained remittances amid rising operational scales.

Job Creation and Local Business Growth

The integrated resorts comprising Entertainment City have generated substantial direct employment in gaming, , and ancillary operations, with cumulative job creation exceeding 130,000 positions for since their development began. Individual facilities contribute significantly; for instance, employs approximately 5,000 workers, while initial projections for the full complex anticipated up to 80,000 direct roles upon completion, many in table games, services, and entertainment staffing. These positions stem from the causal link between high-volume gaming revenue—primarily from integrated operations—and the need for skilled on-site labor, countering narratives of economic dependency by demonstrating localized demand-pull effects in labor markets. Indirect employment extends to construction phases and supply chains, encompassing roles in , food provisioning, and , amplifying total impacts to include thousands more in Parañaque's peripheral . Resorts invest in in-house training academies for dealers and staff, upgrading entrant skills from basic service roles to specialized gaming oversight, which sustains long-term employability amid sector expansion. Wage data indicates premiums of 20-30% over Manila's baselines, with dealer positions averaging ₱26,000-₱45,000 monthly versus broader regional figures around ₱20,000, incentivizing workforce participation and skill acquisition. Local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in have experienced measurable growth through spillovers, as resort operations boost demand for subcontracted services like , , and retail. This is evidenced by the city's business tax collections reaching nearly ₱4 billion in 2020, up substantially from pre-Entertainment City levels, alongside a of ₱343 billion in 2023—reflecting broadened tax bases from new vendor registrations and expanded operations rather than isolated enclave effects. Such dynamics underscore casino-led multipliers, where proximity to high-spending employee and visitor clusters fosters SME viability independent of direct inflows.

Tourism and Broader Economic Multipliers

Entertainment City serves as a major draw for international tourists seeking integrated resort experiences, channeling a significant share of the ' inbound visitors toward . In 2024, the country recorded 5.9 million foreign tourist arrivals, with Entertainment City's facilities capturing high-value segments through non-gaming amenities alongside gaming offerings, contributing to localized economic spillovers from visitor expenditures on lodging, dining, and events. This visitor traffic has elevated hotel occupancy in the district's luxury properties to peaks exceeding 80% during high seasons, such as year-end holidays and major conventions, surpassing broader averages of 64-75%. Tourist spending in Entertainment City generates economic multipliers that extend its impact beyond direct outlays, countering perceptions of gaming as a zero-sum activity by injecting foreign capital into the . Input-output analyses of Philippine reveal output multipliers ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 for accommodation and sectors, where initial expenditures ripple through interindustry linkages, boosting suppliers in , , and . Additionally, the sector exhibits an employment multiplier of 25.3 jobs per million pesos of tourist expenditure, the highest among industries, fostering induced effects from re-spent wages in . These dynamics underscore causal linkages where foreign high-roller visits—predominant in Entertainment City—create net GDP gains, as evidenced by the district's role in sustaining 13.5% above-2019 contributions to national output in 2025 projections. Post-COVID recovery in 2025 has amplified these multipliers via Entertainment City's integrated resorts, which reported driving growth amid integrated gross gaming revenues of P93.36 billion in the first half of the year, partly from rebounding foreign visitation. While overall Philippine faced a 0.83% decline in arrivals through early 2025, with 1.93 million foreign visitors in the first four months, Entertainment City's model has insulated it by prioritizing premium, gaming-adjacent experiences that sustain occupancy and spending resilience. In contrast, non-gaming segments, reliant on Department of Tourism-promoted and cultural sites, have exhibited stagnation or contraction, with arrivals still below pre-pandemic peaks and vulnerable to external shocks like reduced regional . Entertainment City's emphasis on diversified resort ecosystems thus highlights superior multiplier effects from gaming , where foreign direct spending—estimated at USD 3.2 billion in casino-related revenues in 2023—propagates broader fiscal benefits without equivalent offsets in domestic-only circuits.

Social and Regulatory Aspects

Employment Demographics and Skill Development

The workforce in Entertainment City's integrated resorts consists predominantly of Filipino nationals, with operators such as recruiting the majority of their staff locally to fill roles ranging from dealers to and positions. Across the sector, integrated employ over 20,000 , emphasizing domestic hiring to support local economic participation. Hiring practices prioritize skill sets over demographic quotas, as exemplified by Solaire Resort's policy of to ensure operational competence in a high-stakes environment. Women constitute a significant portion of the in gaming and roles, with PAGCOR recognizing female employees through initiatives like the Dakilang Juana Awards, which highlight contributions in operations and leadership. While foreign expertise is incorporated for specialized positions, such as certain managerial or technical roles, the emphasis on local talent minimizes reliance on expatriates, fostering upward mobility through internal promotions tied to demonstrated performance. Skill development is facilitated by PAGCOR-accredited programs, including certificate courses in casino dealing for games like , , and , which equip participants with standardized competencies required for licensed operations. These vocational initiatives, offered through PAGCOR's Training Center, produce certified professionals who can advance to supervisory roles, countering skill shortages and retaining talent domestically rather than exporting it abroad. Integrated resorts complement this with in-house training, such as Okada Manila's comprehensive programs in leadership and specialized skills, enabling employees to progress from entry-level positions to higher responsibilities based on proficiency. High retention is supported by opportunities for career advancement and professional growth, with operators like and Solaire providing structured development paths that align with competitive compensation structures. Employee feedback indicates environments conducive to long-term employment, where skill enhancement directly correlates with promotional prospects, promoting stability in a sector demanding precision and reliability.

Regulatory Framework and PAGCOR Oversight

The (PAGCOR) maintains a statutory monopoly over the regulation of land-based gaming operations in the , including the issuance of provisional licenses to qualified private operators for integrated resorts within Entertainment City. This framework, established under Republic Act No. 9487 and subsequent amendments, authorizes PAGCOR to oversee casino layouts, operational standards, and revenue-sharing agreements, with private concessions for Entertainment City projects awarded starting in the early 2010s to consortia such as those operating Solaire Resort, , and City of Dreams. Licensees must adhere to strict guidelines outlined in PAGCOR's Casino Regulatory Manual for Entertainment City, which mandates secure facility designs, surveillance systems, and financial reporting to prevent unauthorized access and ensure fiscal transparency. PAGCOR enforces anti-money laundering (AML) protocols in coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), requiring Entertainment City operators to implement customer , transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting under the Casino Anti-Money Laundering Risk Rating System. Age and identity verification measures include mandatory ID checks at entry points, facial recognition technology, and exclusion lists for minors and self-excluded individuals, with operators prohibited from admitting Philippine nationals to gaming floors except in designated tourist areas. Regular on-site inspections and internal audits assess compliance, supplemented by PAGCOR's quarterly scorecards for Entertainment City licensees, which track adherence to these standards across generation and operational integrity. Enforcement data from PAGCOR's oversight demonstrates high compliance levels, with AML/CFT assessments by the Asia/Pacific Group on (APG) noting effective implementation in the gaming sector and minimal systemic irregularities in licensed operations as of the latest mutual evaluation. PAGCOR's annual reports highlight low incidence of violations, such as rare instances of inadequate customer verification or unreported transactions, often resolved through fines or corrective actions rather than license revocations, reflecting robust preventive measures over punitive responses. To enhance regulatory efficiency and eliminate conflicts between its operator and oversight roles, PAGCOR initiated privatization bids for its 45 state-run in 2023, targeting completion by the third quarter of 2025 to generate between PHP 60 billion and PHP 80 billion in proceeds while refocusing exclusively on supervision. This decoupling aligns with broader reforms, as seen in the licensing of the Westside City integrated resort, whose provisional approval under PAGCOR's framework supports its anticipated Q1 2025 opening, subject to final compliance validations.

Controversies and Criticisms

Social Costs of Gambling Expansion

The expansion of gambling in Entertainment City has prompted discussions on potential social costs, including addiction, crime, and family disruptions, though empirical evidence indicates these effects are limited relative to participation levels. prevalence in the Philippines remains within the global range of 1-2% for the general adult population, with land-based casino participation showing lower risks compared to online formats, where rates can exceed 5% among frequent users.00126-9/fulltext) PAGCOR has recorded only seven formal reports of gambling addiction over the past three years, referring individuals to accredited treatment centers, suggesting underreporting but also effective deterrence through regulatory measures. To mitigate addiction risks, PAGCOR enforces a Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, including the National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP) for and bans, prohibiting entry and forfeiting winnings for enrolled individuals. Licensed operators in Entertainment City, such as Solaire and , must display warning signs, limit play times, and provide on-site counseling referrals, with PAGCOR funding nationwide helplines and awareness campaigns. These interventions align with international standards, maintaining prevalence below elevated Asian regional averages of 3.8-6% observed in less regulated environments. Regarding crime, (PNP) data shows no measurable uptick attributable to Entertainment City openings since 2012; instead, crime incidents declined by 23.73% from late 2023 to mid-2025, encompassing index crimes like and near casino vicinities. Earlier concerns, such as isolated cases linked to high-roller junkets in 2017-2019, involved foreign nationals and were addressed through enhanced security protocols, without sustained local crime elevation. Claims of family impacts, including and breakdowns, surface in anecdotal reports but lack population-level causation data tying them directly to Entertainment City; remains a voluntary activity, with safeguards like age verification and spending limits reducing . PAGCOR's revenue allocation supports broader , including anti-addiction programs, offsetting potential harms without of widespread societal strain beyond individual cases.

Allegations of Corruption and Uneven Benefits

Allegations of in Entertainment City have primarily centered on PAGCOR oversight and individual operator conduct, though verified cases remain limited and often stem from pre-development eras. In October 2025, the upheld the conviction of former PAGCOR chairman Efraim Genuino and four officials for misusing P50.05 million in agency funds allocated for athlete incentives in 2009, a case predating Entertainment City's major expansions but highlighting historical governance lapses within the regulator. Separate probes into through casinos, including potential Entertainment City venues, emerged in September 2025 linked to Department of Public Works and Highways in Bulacan flood projects, where officials allegedly laundered $18.3 million via gaming transactions; however, these remain under investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Council without confirmed ties to specific Entertainment City operators or convictions to date. PAGCOR has actively countered misuse by government personnel, voiding over PHP 200 million in casino winnings claimed by officials since 2022 through enhanced ID verification and monitoring, enforcing a longstanding ban on public servants with agency resources. Operator-specific disputes, such as 2013 claims of a $5 million involving Manila's parent company, were dismissed by PAGCOR as unsubstantiated, with no resulting convictions or operational disruptions. These incidents, while prompting regulatory scrutiny, have largely been isolated and resolved judicially, with minimal systemic convictions impacting Entertainment City's framework. Critiques of uneven benefits often allege , yet PAGCOR's dividend model disperses revenues broadly to national priorities rather than concentrated interests. In 2024, PAGCOR's gross gaming revenues reached $6.5 billion, with distributions including allocations to the national government (via the Bayanihan Trust Fund and infrastructure), local government units, and sports incentives under RA 10699, totaling over PHP 91.89 million in the latter category alone. Audits indicate substantial local economic retention, with integrated resorts' operations driving multiplier effects through procurement and payroll predominantly sourced domestically, countering narratives of foreign-only outflows; for instance, PAGCOR's projected 2025 revenues of PHP 116.65 billion are earmarked over 50% for public dividends, funding non-crony initiatives like disaster relief (e.g., PHP 67 million extended in early 2025). This underscores revenue's in fiscal support beyond private gains, with transparency reports affirming compliance over favoritism claims.

Environmental and Urban Planning Disputes

The development of Entertainment City involved in along , prompting concerns over potential increases in and disruption to tidal flows, as reclamation alters coastal dynamics and can trap sediments behind new shorelines. Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the 286.86-hectare reclamation area, integral to Entertainment City, evaluated these risks and prescribed engineering measures such as sediment traps, breakwaters, and hydrodynamic modeling to maintain bay circulation. No major spills or acute events directly attributable to Entertainment City's construction phases have been documented in official records, contrasting with predictive warnings of . Zoning conflicts arose from shifting the area from potential open bay uses to high-density commercial and resort development, requiring rezoning approvals from local authorities and DENR oversight to ensure compliance with coastal management plans. Phased infrastructure builds, including elevated roadways and integration with existing Metro Manila transport networks, were implemented to mitigate urban sprawl and traffic congestion, as outlined in project master plans endorsed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and local urban development bodies. DENR-issued Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) conditioned approvals on traffic impact assessments and progressive development to avoid overwhelming adjacent areas, with monitoring reports indicating managed growth without widespread infrastructure failure. Habitat disputes focused on mangrove loss during initial reclamation, though EIS requirements mandated compensatory planting and restoration protocols under DENR guidelines, prioritizing native species rehabilitation over unsubstantiated forecasts of irreversible biodiversity decline. While broader Manila Bay projects face scrutiny for mangrove conversion, Entertainment City's operational phase has coincided with regional restoration initiatives, including community-led efforts to replant degraded coastal zones, though specific attribution to the development remains limited in verified data. Local fisherfolk and informal settlers raised objections over access to bay resources, leading to compensation agreements facilitated by PAGCOR and local government, with verifiable payouts documented in relocation programs rather than prolonged litigation. These resolutions emphasized just compensation under Republic Act No. 7279, avoiding escalation to major court battles specific to the site's zoning changes.

Future Developments

Ongoing Projects and Expansions

Westside City Resorts World, a $1.3 billion integrated resort developed by Suntrust Resort Holdings—a unit of Hong Kong-based LET Group Holdings—continues as the flagship ongoing construction project in Entertainment City's Bayshore sub-district. Originally slated for earlier openings, the development has encountered repeated delays due to funding and construction reviews, with the current timeline targeting a third-quarter 2026 debut for its primary tower. As of October 2025, the 31-hectare complex stands at 75% completion, encompassing over 1,500 hotel rooms, a floor exceeding 300,000 square feet, convention spaces, and retail outlets, with major structural elements finalized for handover to operators. The project integrates with adjacent Resorts World Manila facilities via planned skybridges and shared infrastructure, aiming to create a contiguous zone while adhering to PAGCOR's licensing requirements for the fifth integrated in the area. Suntrust secured a funding extension into 2025 to support final phases, including interior fit-outs and operational preparations, amid commitments from investors like Summit Ascent Holdings. Expansions by existing operators include proposals from and partner Leisure & Resorts World Corp (LRWC), operators of , for a $300–500 million addition seeking PAGCOR approval in 2025 to enhance non-gaming amenities and room inventory. These initiatives, part of broader integrated resort upgrades, focus on regulatory clearance for phased rollouts aligned with recovery, though site-specific details within Entertainment City remain under review. No confirmed advancements have been reported for the PAGCOR Tower, a previously conceptualized high-rise hub intended to public-sector contributions to the district's growth.

Projected Growth and Challenges Post-2025

PAGCOR projects sustained expansion for Entertainment City's integrated resorts, with new developments such as the $1.25 billion Westside City project scheduled to open phases in 2026, enhancing capacity and attracting high-value visitors from . This aligns with broader industry goals to position the as 's second-largest gaming market after , potentially surpassing Singapore's gross gaming revenue through additional IR openings and integration. Integrated resorts in Entertainment City contributed nearly half of the national GGR in the first half of 2025, underscoring their role in driving post-pandemic recovery and supporting forecasts for regional casino market growth fueled by rising incomes and visitor inflows. Diversification beyond gaming—into , retail, and events—bolsters resilience, as evidenced by IRs' evolution into multifaceted lifestyle hubs that mitigate reliance on revenues amid fluctuating tourist patterns. PAGCOR's potential approval of new IR licenses in the coming years could accelerate this, though a current moratorium on certain gaming permits signals cautious regulatory pacing to address oversight needs. Early indicators post-2025, including the opening of Entertainment City's fifth IR (LET X) in late 2025, suggest upticks in non-gaming multipliers like convention and entertainment draw. Key challenges include intensifying competition from Singapore's mature market, which maintains a premium on and visitor experience, potentially diverting mass and VIP segments unless Philippine enhancements in and amenities materialize. Domestic constraints, such as bottlenecks and hotel room shortages, risk capping rebound, with PAGCOR acknowledging these as barriers to realizing full growth potential. Stricter responsible gaming measures and license freezes may impose internal limits on expansion velocity, favoring adaptive strategies like hybrid online-offline models over unchecked proliferation. Despite these, market-driven adaptations, including targeted Asian marketing, position Entertainment City for incremental gains toward PAGCOR's overarching revenue ambitions exceeding 2025 benchmarks.

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