NUSTAR Resort and Casino

Where it is: South Road Properties, Cebu City

NUSTAR sits at Kawit Point on the South Road Properties, a reclaimed stretch of waterfront in Cebu City¹. It is the first premier 5-star integrated resort in Cebu, and the South Road Properties is a developing district, so the resort stands out on its own rather than sitting in a dense entertainment strip.

The address to give a taxi driver is Kawit Point, SRP, Cebu City¹. Ride hailing apps work in Cebu and will find the resort by name.

NUSTAR is an integrated resort rather than a standalone casino. The gaming floor is one part of a larger complex that includes hotels, dining and entertainment venues, and the resort has been built out in phases³. That matters practically: some parts of the property may still be finishing construction or opening in stages, so not every outlet or facility you read about will necessarily be open on the day you visit.

The resort targets both international players from neighboring Asian countries and a strong domestic market³. In practice that means you will see a mix of Filipino players, visitors from elsewhere in Asia and business travelers. English is widely spoken on the floor, and staff are used to helping first timers.

Entry rules: age 21 and over, dress code and prohibited items

The minimum age to enter the gaming floor is 21, and you must carry a valid photo ID¹. This applies to everyone: Filipino citizens, foreign residents and visitors alike. There is no separate rule for tourists, and no membership requirement to walk in. A passport, driver's license or national ID card all work as photo ID.

PAGCOR, the regulator that licenses NUSTAR, sets 21 as the floor for its gaming establishments, and persons under 21 are not allowed to enter, stay or play⁴. If you look young, expect to be asked for ID at the entrance. Security checks bags on the way in, so allow a few extra minutes at the door.

A smart casual dress code applies on the gaming floor¹. Items typically not allowed are:

• Beachwear
• Sleeveless shirts
• Slippers

The rule specifically names slippers and sleeveless shirts for men¹. In practice: closed shoes, a shirt with sleeves, and no swimwear. Smart shorts are generally fine, but if you are unsure, long trousers and closed shoes are the safe choice. There is no jacket and tie requirement.

Outside food is prohibited². If you arrive with something to eat, you can deposit it at the Casino Concierge and collect it when you leave². That is a useful detail if you are coming straight from a market or a long drive.

One rule that surprises some visitors: any politically exposed person is not allowed to play². If you hold or have held a prominent public position, check with the casino before you plan a visit.

Games on the two-level gaming floor

The gaming floor is spread over two levels and is described by the resort as the largest and most varied in the central and southern Philippines³. It covers 21,000 square meters². The floor is licensed and regulated by PAGCOR¹.

The headline numbers are over 250 gaming tables and 1,000 electronic machines². That mix means you can play at a live table or on a machine, and the two areas are separate enough that you can pick the pace you want.

Minimum age: 21

The floor includes casual and fine dining options alongside the gaming areas, and the north wing of the gaming floor was unveiled as part of the resort's opening ceremonies³. If you are visiting for the first time, the layout rewards a walk around before you sit down: the two levels have different feels, and the machine areas are usually quieter than the table pits.

Table games and poker variants dealt

NUSTAR's gaming license covers live gaming tables⁵. The table pits are the core of the floor, and the resort's own materials point to a broad spread of table games rather than a single specialty.

Baccarat is the mainstay of Philippine casino floors, and it appears here in both the main pit and higher limit areas. Blackjack and roulette are standard. The Philippine table games guide covers how the common games work and what the minimums usually look like.

Poker is a separate matter. PAGCOR licenses poker operators individually, and the list of licensed poker rooms in the Philippines is published by the regulator⁶. If poker is your reason for visiting, check the current licensed operator list before you travel, because poker room arrangements can change and a room that operated last year may not be running now.

Novelty table games, the poker based games dealt by a dealer against the house rather than player against player, are common in Philippine casinos. Rules and pay tables for these games can vary slightly from casino to casino, so read the table card before you buy in⁷. That is not a warning about anything unusual at NUSTAR; it is simply how these games work everywhere.

Table minimums are not published in advance and change with the time of day and the demand on the floor. As a rough guide, expect lower minimums during weekday daytime and higher ones on weekend evenings. If a table is above your budget, ask a floor attendant where the lower limit tables are; they will point you to them.

Electronic machines, VIP rooms and the Premium Area

The 1,000 electronic machines are the other half of the floor². These cover slot style games and electronic table games, and they are the easiest entry point if you have never played in a casino before. You do not need to know table etiquette, and the minimum bet per spin is usually low.

The resort also has VIP rooms and a Premium Area². These are separate spaces with higher limits and more personal service. Access is usually by arrangement with the casino, either through a players club relationship or by asking at the desk. If you are a higher limit player and want that environment, ask when you arrive rather than assuming you can walk in.

NUSTAR runs a players club and rewards program, and the mechanics of how Philippine casino rewards cards work are worth understanding before you sign up, since the tiers and benefits differ between operators. Signing up is free and usually gets you a card that tracks your play.

Hotels, dining and other facilities

NUSTAR is an integrated resort, not just a casino. The complex includes hotels and dining, and the opening ceremonies unveiled casual and fine dining options alongside the north wing of the gaming floor³. The gaming floor itself covers 21,000 square meters², which gives you a sense of the scale of the building you are walking into.

Dining on property ranges from casual to fine dining³. If you are planning a full evening, you can eat on site rather than leaving the resort. Outside food is not allowed on the gaming floor, but that rule does not stop you eating in the resort's restaurants².

The resort has been opening in stages, and the opening ceremonies marked the unveiling of the north wing of the gaming floor³. If a particular restaurant or facility is on your list, it is worth checking ahead, because a phased opening means some venues come online later than others.

For a wider look at what else is available in the country, the Philippines gambling guide covers the national picture, and the casinos in the Philippines page explains who can go into which venues.

Getting there: shuttle service and parking

The resort is at Kawit Point, SRP, Cebu City¹. By car or taxi, that is the address to use. Ride hailing apps in Cebu recognize the resort by name.

Parking is available on site. If you are driving yourself, follow the signs for the resort entrance and the parking area. If you are arriving by taxi or ride hailing, ask to be dropped at the main entrance rather than the parking structure, since the walk from parking to the gaming floor can be long in a property this size.

There is no published free shuttle service from the airport in the resort's own materials. If you are coming from Mactan Cebu International Airport, plan on a taxi or a ride hailing car. The drive crosses Cebu City and is subject to traffic, so build in extra time for an evening arrival.

If you are combining Cebu with other stops in the region, the Philippine casino scene is concentrated in Metro Manila, and the Metro Manila integrated resorts are a short flight away. For comparison, Solaire Resort North in Quezon City sits on a 1.5 hectare site and serves northern Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces⁸. NUSTAR's advantage is that it serves the central and southern Philippines directly, so you do not need to fly to Manila to play on a large floor³.

What to expect on the day

Arrive with photo ID and dress for a smart casual floor. Expect a bag check at the entrance. Once inside, walk both levels before you settle, since the table pits and machine areas have different minimums and atmospheres.

If you want a table game, ask the floor attendant for the lowest limit table at that hour. If you want a machine, the electronic area is straightforward and needs no explanation. If you want the VIP or Premium Area, ask at the desk about access before you assume it is open to walk in traffic.

Food and drink are available on property, and outside food goes to the Casino Concierge². The casino never closes, so there is no closing rush to plan around².