The History of the Entertainment City in Manila, Philippines
Our look into the Entertainment City in Manila, Philippines, will begin with an overview of its origins. Conceptualized in 2002 by the Philippine Amusement and Game Corporation (PAGCOR), it is located in Parañaque, along Manila Bay.
Construction began in 2007 and is still ongoing, although most of the project is already complete. The goal is to boost tourism within the area by providing a wide array of entertainment options, including casinos that match the quality of online gambling sites in the Philippines.
Interesting fact:
The Entertainment City is considered a special economic zone by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. While the government has officially approved the project, all investments come from private companies.
Rest assured, gambling is entirely legal within the Philippines, and PAGCOR is also a state-owned corporation tasked with regulating gambling within the country. As such, all the games at these land-based casinos have been thoroughly examined and confirmed fair.
While there have been many changes throughout the year, with the project’s budget being scaled down and some buildings being scrapped, the project has been proceeding smoothly and is nearly complete. Manila continues improving and growing, as does the Manila Bay Entertainment City.
Legal Gambling Options in the Philippines
As mentioned earlier, all forms of gambling are legal in the Philippines. PAGCOR regulates all gambling activities within the country, extending to the hotels in Entertainment City Manila. Always look for a PAGCOR gaming license to confirm an operator’s legitimacy. Below, you can find the status of some of the most popular land-based casino games:
| 🃏 Game: | ⚖️ Status: |
| Slots | Legal |
| Blackjack | Legal |
| Roulette | Legal |
| Baccarat | Legal |
| Sic Bo | Legal |
| Poker | Legal |
Note that you need to be 21 years old before you can gamble and that there are agencies, such as Gamblers Anonymous, to help combat gambling addiction. The quality games and the security can certainly rival the ones at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
Hotels in the Entertainment City in Manila
The Entertainment City Manila master plan is to build five integrated resorts with hotels, casinos, bars and other entertainment facilities. As the project is done in phases, only three are currently open to the public, with the fourth being under construction and the fifth still pending approval.
Regardless of your choice, you can be confident that all these casinos are high-quality and fully licensed . Their quality accommodations can even match the best hotels in Las Vegas. As more resorts are constructed, we hope they will continue improving upon the last.
Solaire Resort & Casino
With its construction completed in 2013, Solaire Resort & Casino is the first integrated resort at the PAGCOR Entertainment City in Manila. Bloomberry Resorts Corporation operates it and has 800 hotel rooms and suites, along with several conference halls for meetings.
| 📛 Name: | Solaire Resort & Casino |
| 🗓️ Opening Date: | 16th of March 2013 |
| 📍 Location: | 1 Aseana Avenue, Tambo, Parañaque |
| 📏 Casino Floor: | 18,500 sq m2 |
| 🎰 Games: | 1980+ |
| 🏨 Rooms | 800 |
| 🍹 Amenities: | Restaurants, ballroom, conference hall, shooting hall, shops, pool, spa, etc. |
| 💻 Website: | www.solaireresort.com |
The sprawling casino features over 1620 slots and over 360 table games, including exclusive titles such as Sabong Cards. Aside from the luxurious casino, VIP players can also enter a special lounge, where they can book private salons and find even more thrilling games.
Aside from the casino, the resort has many other amenities, such as a spa and a shooting hall. There is also a pool, ballroom, and conference halls where you can organize personal events. Finally, you can watch performances at The Theatre or explore the numerous shops and restaurants.
City of Dreams Manila
Phase 2 of the Manila Entertainment City project saw the creation of City of Dreams Manila. Melco Resorts and Entertainment own it, and this is a sister resort to one of the best casinos in Macau of the same name. This establishment has 936 rooms, and it can be recognized by the signature egg-shaped dome structure known as the Fortune Egg.
| 📛 Name: | City of Dreams Manila |
| 🗓️ Opening Date: | 2nd of February 2015 |
| 📍 Location: | Corner of Macapagal Avenue, Aseana Avenue, Parañaque, Philippines |
| 📏 Casino Floor: | 1,700 m2 |
| 🎰 Games: | 1909+ |
| 🏨 Rooms | 936 |
| 🍹 Amenities: | Restaurants, Amusement Park, pool, spa, etc |
| 💻 Website: | www.cityofdreamsmanila.com |
Players can find a great selection of slots and table games, including unique titles such as Super Niu Niu or Lunar Poker. Players can also find a rewards program or enter a member-only area with private salons for a more relaxing casino experience. It certainly matches the experience at the oldest casinos in Vegas.
This resort stands out because it is also suitable for families, as it has a huge amusement park called DreamPlay. The resort collaborates with Dreamworks Animation to provide various fun events and playgrounds. There are also many restaurants, shops, a pool and other live events for those who want more excitement.
Okada Manila
The latest resort at Manila Bay Entertainment City is Okada Manila, which was first opened on the 30th of December 2016. It has 993 rooms, including suites and villas, spread across two wings. Several pools, a wellness center, shops, a children’s amusement park, and more exist.
| 📛 Name: | Okada Manila |
| 🗓️ Opening Date: | 30th of December 2016 |
| 📍 Location: | New Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Parañaque, Philippines |
| 📏 Casino Floor: | 26,410.77 m2 |
| 🎰 Games: | 3550+ |
| 🏨 Rooms | 993 |
| 🍹 Amenities: | Restaurants, Amusement Park, pool, spa, The Fountain, Cove Manila, etc |
| 💻 Website: | www.okadamanila.com |
The casino floor features an impressive selection of more than 3000 slots, many of which have linked progressive jackpots. Plenty of electronic tables, virtual horse racing and a VIP slots lounge also exist. Finally, players can enjoy various table games, including blackjack, Money Wheel and Pinoy Lucky 9.
Aside from restaurants and shops, the resort features many live events, a barbershop and two signature attractions. The first is The Fountain, a huge musical fountain where visitors can enjoy multicoloured spectacles. Meanwhile, Cove Manila is a fantastic beach club/nightclub with an indoor pool that can rival the best nightclubs in Vegas.
Other Attractions at Manila Bay Entertainment City
Aside from the hotels in the Entertainment City in Manila, visitors can find many other entertainment opportunities. These include event grounds, such as the Mall of Asia Arena, where you can watch sports events, concerts and more. Naturally, there are also plenty of malls, such as Ayala Malls Manila Bay, where you can shop or relax at great restaurants.
You can also explore the city of Manila itself during your stay. For a similar experience to visiting the top museums in Vegas, you can see the historic Intramuros. That is the old city of Manila and features many impressive sights, such as the grand Manila Cathedral and various old colleges.
Regardless of your preferences, Manila has many attractions and sights. Players visiting the Entertainment City will have plenty of things to do.
The Future of the Entertainment City
Manila is constantly growing to establish itself as a luxury vacation destination. The Entertainment City in Manila’s master plan is to become the new Vegas Strip, with at least two more resorts being prepared. As the casinos keep improving, it will be interesting to see if Vegas will remain on top.
The Entertainment City in Manila, Philippines is more than just casino games; there are other entertainment options for all ages. You can shop at malls, attend live events, dine at exquisite restaurants, or explore historical landmarks.
The variety of experiences certainly exceeds the top online casinos in the Philippines, and we are excited to see what the future holds for this project. Even in its current state, Entertainment City provides an outstanding experience.
Entertainment City Manila FAQ
We will answer all your pressing questions before wrapping up our look at the Manila Entertainment City. You can learn more details on the project’s history and information on the various exciting integrated resorts. We will also cover the available games and other amenities for visitors to this unique place.
Where is the Entertainment City in Manila?
As mentioned earlier, when discussing the history of the Entertainment City in Manila, Philippines, this project is located in the city of Parañaque along the Manila Bay area. Getting to it is easy; some resorts even have shuttle services, which will bring you directly to them. Remember to plan your stay carefully.
What game types are available at the Entertainment City?
When discussing the legal gambling options in the Philippines, we showed that all casino game types are legal. Manila Bay Entertainment City players can find various slots, such as Progressive Link jackpots, and classic table games like blackjack and roulette. There are also many casino poker variants and some unique card games.
Which is the biggest casino in the Entertainment City?
Among the three available casinos, the biggest one is Okada Manila. Aside from size, it has more than 3000 games, which include various slots and table games. Players can try their luck at the progressive jackpot games or visit the VIP slot lounge. There are also electronic tables for roulette, baccarat, and unique titles such as Big Wheel.
What other amenities are available at Entertainment City resorts?
Aside from casinos, players have many other entertainment opportunities at these resorts. There are theatres for live events, nightclubs, shops and plenty of restaurants. Some resorts, such as the City of Dreams Manila, even have amusement parks for children, while others have indoor pools and spa centers with gyms.
Are there other sights in Manila outside the Entertainment City?
Those who wish to take a break from casino games and explore the city can find plenty of other Entertainment City attractions. That includes several malls and event stages. You can also travel outside the Manila Entertainment City and visit the historic Intramuros, the old city of Manila.