Philippine gaming operator Travellers International announced that it will open its $1.25 billion Westside City integrated casino resort in early 2026, nine months ahead of schedule. Chairman Kevin Tan confirmed at the G2E summit in Las Vegas that Travellers is participating in the privatization acquisition of nine state-owned casinos under the Philippine gaming regulatory authority PAGCOR, and plans to build "mini-gaming hubs" in 37 cities nationwide. This expansion plan comes during a rapid growth period for the Philippine gaming industry, with total gaming revenue reaching 410 billion pesos in the first half of 2025, a 25% increase year-over-year, with integrated resorts contributing more than 60%.
Project Overview and Timing Adjustment
Travellers International announced that it will open its $1.25 billion investment in the Westside City integrated casino resort in early 2026, nine months ahead of the original schedule. The project, located in the Manila Bay area, covers 12 hectares.
The resort will include 300 gaming tables, 1,300 slot machines, and 450 guest rooms, positioning itself as "Asia's premier entertainment destination" and is expected to become a new landmark in Manila.
Privatization Plan and Regional Expansion
Chairman Kevin Tan confirmed at the G2E summit that Travellers is participating in the bidding for the privatization of nine state-owned casinos under PAGCOR. These casinos are located in key cities such as Cebu and Davao, currently operated by the government, and suffer from inefficiency and aging facilities.
Travellers plans to deploy "mini-gaming hubs" in 37 cities nationwide, adopting its Megaworld's "township development" model, integrating casinos with commercial and residential projects.
Project Background and Development History
Westside City was originally developed by Suntrust Resort Holdings and was temporarily halted due to funding issues. Travellers took over in August this year and quickly restarted the construction, pushing the project forward.
Kevin Tan stated: "The Philippines does not need to replicate Macau but to create its own Las Vegas. Westside City will drive at least a 20% growth in the surrounding economy."
Market Competition and Industry Structure
The competition for PAGCOR privatization is fierce, with several consortia including Genting Philippines and SM Group having submitted letters of intent. Travellers plans to bid for 3 to 4 of these casinos, with a focus on the Cebu market.
The company plans to create a "casino + tech park" dual-drive model in Cebu as the first pilot project.
Regional Development Trends
The Philippine gaming industry is shifting from a "Manila-centric" to a "regional advancement" model. Data from the first half of 2025 shows that markets in Cebu and Clark grew by over 30%, eating into the capital's market share for the first time.
Travellers is launching a "township casino strategy," planning to select 10 to 15 cities from 37 Megaworld development areas to build small to medium-sized casinos, with each project investing $20 million to $400 million.
Market Data and Performance
In the first half of 2025, total gaming revenue in the Philippines reached 410 billion pesos, a 25% increase year-over-year, with integrated resorts contributing more than 60%. This growth trend provides a market foundation for the early opening of Westside City.
Kevin Tan believes: "The Philippines has over 17 cities with a population of 20 million each, each capable of supporting a casino with annual revenue of $100 million."
Regulatory Challenges and Social Issues
The expansion of the gaming industry faces regulatory and social challenges: gambling-related family disputes increased by 28% year-over-year; insufficient local inspectors lead to frequent issues of money laundering and underage entry; offshore illegal gambling, although banned, remains active underground.
In July this year, the police cracked down on an underground casino disguised as an e-commerce site, with daily transactions reaching 5 million pesos, exposing regulatory loopholes.
Development Prospects and Industry Impact
If Westside City opens on schedule and PAGCOR is successfully privatized, the Philippines is expected to surpass Singapore as the largest gaming market in Southeast Asia by 2028. Travellers' expansion represents a shift from extensive growth to industrialization and standardization in the Philippine gaming industry.
Kevin Tan summarized: "What we are building is not just casinos, but engines of regional economic development." This expansion strategy will significantly impact the Philippine gaming market structure and regional economic development.
