Bloomberry readies Jeju casino reopening

Razon-led integrated resort developer and operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is set to reopen this month its newly acquired casino on Jeju Island in South Korea.

The reopening of the casino under Bloomberry’s management marks the first phase of a multi-stage refurbishment plan that was initiated last May. With the ongoing renovation schedule, the second phase is expected to be completed by December this year, Bloomberry told the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday.

“We are very excited to introduce Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino starting out with the re-opening of this world-class casino after only less than four months. This is our first operating overseas property, and we exerted much effort to put in place the ambiance and amenities that would enrich the gaming experience,” Bloomberry chair and chief executive officer Enrique Razon Jr. said.

Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, five minutes away from Jeju International Airport, has 208 hotel rooms and suites, 2,125 square meters of gaming space, dining options featuring fresh local produce and international cuisine, a bar and lounge and other hotel facilities such as an event space.

Prior to Bloomberry’s purchase and rebranding, it was called T.H.E. Hotel & Vegas Casino, one of the seven casinos in the island.

Bloomberry has a 96.23-percent stake in Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, of which 10 percent it holds directly and 86.23 percent is held through its subsidiary, Solaire Korea Co. Ltd.

Under the new management, the newly renovated casino has been equipped with the latest state-of-the-art table games and electronic gaming equipment for the exclusive use of foreign guests, the company said.

Further refurbishment of the casino facilities will include the main lobby and new dining options, Bloomberry said.

“Moreover, the newly branded Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino will offer energetic entertainment and premium gaming facilities featuring the most popular games like baccarat, roulette, Sic Bo, blackjack and South Korea’s premier selection of the latest electronic games and slot machines that will set a new benchmark for lifestyle and leisure experience,” the company said.

Bloomberry is the developer and operator of Solaire Resort and Casino, the first integrated resort to open at Pagcor Entertainment City along Manila Bay.

Korea’s Jeju Island, with its dramatic landscape, has been declared a world natural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

This investment in Korea was among the items that contributed to Bloomberry’s net loss of P1.3 billion in the first six months of this year. Offshore investment in Solaire Korea and Jeju Sun accounted for P325.2 million in operating costs and expenses for the period. Doris Dumlao-Abadilla