Philippines set to issue license to Galaxy's $500 mln casino resort

MANILA, March 20 (Reuters) - Macau casino operator Galaxy

Entertainment Group Ltd is set to bag a license for

its up to $500 million-integrated casino-resort project in

central Philippines, Manila's gaming regulator said on Tuesday.

Galaxy's casino project in Boracay, the Philippines' most

famous holiday island, will push through despite the potential

one-year closure of the tourist spot for clean-up, Andrea

Domingo, chairman, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp

(Pagcor), said at a gaming conference.

Gaming regulator Pagcor on Wednesday will sign and issue a

provisional license for Galaxy and its local partner Leisure and

Resorts World Corp , Domingo said.

Leisure and Resorts World had acquired a 23-hectare slot in

Boracay for the casino project.

The Philippines' tourism, interior and environment ministers

last week recommended the closure of Boracay, which President

Rodrigo Duterte called a "cesspool", for up to one year.

Boracay, famous for its white sand beaches and vibrant night

life, welcomed more than two million domestic and foreign

tourists last year.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales, Editing by Sherry

Jacob-Phillips)