Alegre: Team will have to get new license
Two companies that planned a $500 million casino resort on the Philippine island of Boracay have denied that they are scouting new locations, despite the government’s announcement that it will not allow any new casinos to be built on the island.
In a statement, Leisure Resorts World Corp. said, “Both parties have not reached any final decision regarding its planned Boracay resort project. Following protocol, no change in plans or project location would be made without prior consultation and agreement” with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the country’s state-run regulator.
“Contrary to claims that Galaxy has abandoned its planned Boracay project, no such announcement has been made nor communicated with PAGCOR,” LWRC stated.
According to Inside Asian Gaming, LRWC issued the comment after Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre Galaxy is “looking for another venue and that’s very much welcome.
“When they find it, then they just have to go through the process of accreditation and securing again a new PAGCOR temporary or provisional license,” Alegre said. “The whole process will have to repeat. But that’s welcome news that they’re looking for another venue.”
GGRAsia reported that Galaxy has shelved its plans for a development on the holiday island, but confusion remains about the project. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will close the island for six months starting this week during an environmental cleanup.
“I don’t have plans there for casinos,” the president recently said. “There are enough, there are too many. Casino here, casino there.”
And presidential spokesman Harry Roque told Reuters, “There will be no new casino on Boracay. I do not know how this will be resolved but as far as Boracay is concerned, President Duterte wants the Philippine people to benefit.”
