Kaban Hotel And Casino To Become Boracay’s First Casino

Kaban Hotel and Casino is set to become the first casino to operate on the Philippine island of Boracay, several years after former President Rodrigo Duterte blocked plans for major gambling developments at the popular tourist destination.

The boutique property will hold a soft opening on 16 September before becoming fully operational on 11 October. Located in the north-west of Boracay overlooking Punta Bunga Beach, the development combines a relatively small casino floor with an 88-room hotel and hospitality facilities.

Philippines-based Golden TW Realty and Development Corporation is behind the project, which has secured a licence from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Kaban To Offer Slots, Table Games And VIP Gaming

Kaban's gaming floor will feature 150 slot machines and 10 live dealer tables alongside dedicated VIP gaming rooms. Entry to the casino will be restricted to customers aged 21 and over in accordance with Philippine regulations.

The gaming operation is considerably smaller than the large integrated resorts operating in Manila, which typically offer significantly larger collections of slots and table games.

Alongside the casino, Kaban includes 88 hotel rooms, six restaurants and bars, a rooftop lounge and an indoor swimming pool. The development also contains space for smaller conventions and other events.

The opening introduces regulated casino gambling to an island that has traditionally been positioned primarily as a beach and leisure tourism destination.

Opening Follows Previous Opposition To Boracay Casinos

Boracay had previously attracted interest from major international casino developers. Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment proposed a $550 million integrated resort on the island in 2017, with the development intended to target international tourists including visitors from China and South Korea.

The proposal was ultimately blocked under Duterte's administration, with the former president repeatedly stating that he would not permit casinos to operate on Boracay.

Duterte subsequently ordered the island to close to tourists for six months in 2018 as authorities carried out extensive environmental rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements.

The restrictions effectively halted plans for large-scale international casino investment on Boracay during his presidency.

Philippines Takes Different Approach To Domestic Casinos

The gambling environment has evolved under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration has maintained restrictions on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators while taking a different approach towards regulated domestic casino development.

Kaban represents a substantially smaller development than the integrated resort previously proposed by Galaxy Entertainment, combining boutique gaming with hotel, restaurant and leisure facilities.

The property could also be followed by further casino developments on the island, with additional smaller gaming venues reportedly being considered for Boracay.

Its opening represents a significant change for the island's tourism industry, bringing PAGCOR-regulated casino gaming to Boracay after years of government opposition to gambling developments at the destination.