Belle Corporation is expected to open its all-suites hotel and casino to be operated by Harrah’s Entertainment around June next year as the first phase of its P14-billion casino complex to be built on a 6.2-hectare property in Parañaque.

Sources said that the casino will initially operate with around 50 to 54 suites for high rollers while a high rise hotel of 150 to 300 rooms will eventually be opened in the complex to complement the casino operations.

Harrah’s President Michael Chen, who was recently in Manila to attend the Gaming and Entertainment Expo, said casino firms must integrate gaming with other entertainment offerings in order to compete.

“It’s all about competition. You have countries like the Philippines and areas like Macau and China that are opening gaming and entertainment attractions. There are more choices, so the challenge is how to attract people to your business. And one of the ways is creating an integrated experience for the customer that goes beyond the casino floor," said Chen.

Chen said earlier that the development of the local gaming industry satisfied most of the points Harrah’s considers when weighing developments worldwide.

While the project will be undertaken with Harrah’s, as the world’s largest casino operator, plans are for Leisure & Resorts World Corporation to help run the casino as the holder of the management contract for the gaming component of the project.

LRWC has extensive experience in the gaming business with its technology-aided online gaming operations in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone as well as several bingo parlor operations in malls.

The P14 billion is part of the total P46-billion investment commitment given by Belle and the SM group to state-led Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), which is pushing for the development of a huge entertainment and leisure project at the Manila Bay reclamation area.

"It is the general overhaul of the casino industry in the country that we are preparing for. You have to remember that the casino has been run by the government for almost three decades and now they woke up ... they will just give licenses so that the casino will be owned and operated by private firms which will allow more advanced games,” Belle vice chairman Willy Ocier said earlier.

Pagcor has given licenses to Aruze of Japan, a consortium led by Megaworld Corporation of Andrew L. Tan, and Premium Leisure and Amusement, Inc.

Belle recently bought Premium Leisure and Amusement from the Henry Sy-led SM group, with the SM group getting more shares in Belle in return. The Sy family now holds a 50% stake in Belle.

Ocier said the remaining P32 billion, which will be used for the non-gaming developments like hotels, would be shouldered by the SM group.

The location of the proposed casino, will allow it to serve as the "gateway" to Pagcor’s ambitious Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Entertainment City project.

Belle also plans to create a special purpose vehicle to accommodate the entry of foreign investors who will bring in funds and the expertise to manage the casino. This will give Belle the flexibility to open more casinos in the future, he said.