A Philippine family dynasty wants to enter the country’s booming gaming industry. The son of the Philippines’ richest man, former Senator Manuel Villar Jr., has announced that his company wants to build an integrated resort and casino in Las Piñas, a city in Metro Manila that is home to almost 600,000 people.
Manuel Paolo Villar, who runs Prime Asset Ventures Inc. and Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. has proposed a gaming complex called Gold Coast Entertainment City on a 10- to 15-hectare (25- to 37-acre) site in Barangay Manuyo 2, reported the Philippine Inquirer. The proposed casino would be developed and operated by PAVI and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Vertex Entertainment and Resorts Corp.
“The project will include a casino complex, hotels, food and beverage and retail outlets and entertainment centers,” PAVI President Teodulo San Juan Jr. and Vertex President Caroline Cadelina said in a joint letter to Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar.
City council is expected to entertain PAVI’s request for a clearance to the Villars’ Gold Coast project.
“Gold Coast Entertainment will be strategically located near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, thus easily accessible to gaming tourists,” San Juan said in the letter. “The integrated resort and casino will be designed to convey a resort-like atmosphere. Accommodations and attractions will include nontraditional options to target a younger demographic of gamers and entertainment seekers.”
The same letter said Vertex was “authorized to engage in gaming.”
The Villars obtained a gaming license before President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a moratorium on new casino applications.
Based on Forbes magazine’s 2019 list, Villar is the richest person in the Philippines with an estimated net worth of $5.5 billion.
