Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Subic International Hotel Corporation (SIHC) led the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for the planned $300 million (P16.6 billion) Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino inside the Subic Bay Freeport1. The announcement was made during the ceremony for the facility, which the report describes as "world-class"1.
ACCOR International Group is set to construct Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino Inc. in succeeding phases, on a six-hectare property that will feature an integrated resort casino complex and five-star resort hotels1. The initial phase will consist of Ibis Styles and Mercure Hotels, both owned by ACCOR International Group; Ibis Styles is an economy brand and Mercure is a French midscale brand1.
Sun Convention Resort and Casino Inc. chair and president Pablo Edgardo Puyat said operations are anticipated to start by the end of 2025, after the $300 million investment commitment1. He said Ibis Styles Subic is set to open in 2026 and is the first internationally branded hotel in Subic1.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said:
"We are all excited to see the realization of a magnificent architectural concept, which I am certain will steer the economic growth of the freeport to greater heights"
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Investment | $300 million (P16.6 billion)1 |
| Site | Six hectares inside the Subic Bay Freeport1 |
| Initial phase | Ibis Styles and Mercure hotels1 |
| Operations start | Anticipated by end of 20251 |
| Ibis Styles Subic opening | 20261 |
What it means for players
The Philippines allows casino gambling, and the planned complex would add a casino floor to the Subic Bay Freeport, a special economic zone on the west coast of Luzon1. The report does not state what games the casino would offer, whether it would admit local residents as well as foreign visitors, or what entry rules would apply; none of that has been reported1. The project is at groundbreaking stage, with operations anticipated by the end of 2025, so no casino is open at the site yet1. For general background on entry and play rules at Philippine casinos, see Can I Gamble in the Philippines? and Casinos and Integrated Resorts in Asia.
What happens next
Construction is to proceed in phases, beginning with the Ibis Styles and Mercure hotels1. Operations at the resort and casino are anticipated to start by the end of 2025, and Ibis Styles Subic is set to open in 20261. No further dates, licensing steps or regulatory approvals have been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- P16B world class resort casino to rise in Subic Bay Freeport, newsinfo.inquirer.net
