The Philippines has thrown down the challenge to Macau, Singapore and other leading Southeast Asian gaming destinations, with this weeks’ launch of a new $1.2 billion casino resort on Manila Bay.

Massive casino

Solaire Manila Resorts, the $1.2 billion casino which was launched to much fanfare in the capital on Saturday, is the first of four gambling venues to open on a massive piece of reclaimed land that the government hopes will attract millions of tourists from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Controlled by Philippines port operator Enrique Razon, Solaire is truly a casino to rival the best that Vegas and Macau have to offer. It boasts 300 gaming tables, 1200 slot machines, seven restaurants, 500 hotel rooms and 2000 parking slots, and comes complete with glass ceilings, red carpets, massive chandeliers and indoor water pools.

Solaire and the three yet-to-be-built casinos will make up Entertainment City, the new complex near Manila Airport which is expected to make $10 billion in revenues. Belle Grande – a joint venture of Philippines richest man Henry Sy, Aussie billionaire James Packer, and Macau gaming mogul Lawrenco Ho, should be the next to open next year.

Boost for online gambling

History shows that a win for land-based gaming tends to also provide a boost for online gambling. And that will come as good news for the many Filipinos who already enjoy benefit from playing at Philippines-friendly online casinos, poker sites and sportsbooks such as Jackpot City Casino, All Slots and Platinum Play.

Now, Manila residents and those close enough to get there, have a choice between the thrill of the bricks-and-mortar Solaire Casino and outstanding online casino like Jackpot City - which offers more than 400 of the top casino games from Microgaming including a number of progressive jackpots, backed by great promotions and attention to player experience.