The company chairman Lui Che Woo recently disclosed details of the Boracay facility as well as about its Japan expansion plans.
Late last year, Galaxy revealed plans for the development of a US$500-million destination resort on Boracay together with its Philippine partner Leisure & Resorts World Corp. Early in 2018, the two companies secured a provisional license from PAGCOR and a 23-hectare land plot on the island. However, the casino portion of the project quickly fell victim to President Duterte’s anti-gambling rhetoric. In addition, Boracay was closed for at the end of April for a six-month environmental cleanup, which was, too, ordered by the Philippines’ top official.
President Duterte has said multiple times over the past several months that he would not allow the construction of a new casino resort on the island once it reopens for business at the end of October.
In his CNBC interview, Mr. Lui said that their Boracay resort will target high-end customers from the Asia-Pacific region. However, there will be a clear focus on non-gambling offering. The casino floor will thus represent a small portion of the whole complex and will only feature several dozens of gaming tables. The businessman went on to say that it will be their goal to “restore the beautiful natural scenery” of Boracay to how it had been before.
Mr. Lui also pointed out that they are very confident in the project’s realisation and that they will remain firm on their plans, unless the Philippine government decides otherwise.
Source: GMB / Casino News Daily
