How Boracay got its first casino
A licence, a closure, a reversal, operators changing their minds, and then open doors. Each step ties to a public source.
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2017
A licence lands on the island
Galaxy Entertainment and Leisure & Resorts World Corp announce a roughly half-billion-dollar integrated resort, and the gaming regulator issues a provisional licence.
PAGCOR, company announcements -
April 2018
Boracay closes, and so does the door
The island shuts to tourists for a six-month environmental rehabilitation. New casino development is blocked while the clean-up runs.
Malacañang, PAGCOR -
2019
The first partner walks
Leisure & Resorts World drops the scheme, leaving Galaxy without a local partner and the project without a site.
Company disclosure -
2021
Policy reverses
The moratorium is lifted on revenue grounds. The regulator says both the Galaxy and Megaworld proposals had approval, and Megaworld says it will proceed at Boracay Newcoast.
PAGCOR, exchange filing -
2023
Galaxy rules itself out
Galaxy tells investors it is not considering a return to Boracay, ending the largest of the proposals.
Investor relations notice -
2025
Projections come and go
A boutique casino inside Boracay Newcoast is projected for late 2025 or early 2026, and a Station Zero hotel-casino is promoted.
Trade press, developer marketing -
May 2026
Station 0 gets its name
A landmark for Station 0 is unveiled in Barangay Yapak with the Malay local government, marking the area where the first hotel-casino is being built.
Philstar (sponsored), Malay LGU -
16 Sep 2026
The first casino opens
KABAN Hotel and Casino Boracay soft-opens at Station 0 after nine years of licences, closures and reversals. A grand launch is set for 11 October 2026.
GMA News, Context.ph, InsiderPH