By Abner Cabanda – Founder, PaymayaGaming.com
Table of Contents
Introduction
NUSTAR Resort & Casino is a 9‑hectare integrated resort on Kawit Point, South Road Properties, Cebu City, combining a luxury hotel complex, mall, convention center, and a full‑scale casino in one waterfront destination.
Opened partially in 2022, it has rapidly become Cebu’s flagship high‑end gaming property, drawing both local high rollers and tourists who want a Las Vegas–style experience without leaving the Philippines. For Filipino players who usually game online on platforms like Luckyi, 9UUJILI, 4rabet, RA777, or 7SJL, NUSTAR represents the offline, resort‑level endgame of the casino spectrum.
Resort, Rooms, and Atmosphere
The official NUSTAR website highlights its positioning as a five‑star integrated resort, with multiple hotel brands, including the luxury Fili Hotel and future NUSTAR Hotel, plus mall and convention spaces. Rooms and suites are described in guest reviews as spacious, modern, and fitted with floor‑to‑ceiling windows that showcase sea or city views, with marble bathrooms, deep soaking tubs, and high‑end amenities.
Traveler feedback on sites like Tripadvisor and Expedia consistently praises the overall atmosphere as luxurious and “top‑notch,” with particular emphasis on service quality and attention to detail.
Casino Floor and Poker Action
NUSTAR promotes itself as having “the region’s largest and most varied gaming floor,” featuring slots, electronic gaming machines, and live tables spread across a premium casino environment. Guest impressions describe the casino as the newest and cleanest in Cebu, with plenty of slot machines and table games to try, and a welcoming staff presence around the floor.
Poker players have also reviewed the NUSTAR poker room, highlighting its comfortable chairs, fresh equipment, and professional dealers, while noting that rake is on the higher side compared with some regional card rooms. Overall, the gaming experience sits firmly in the “destination casino” category—best suited for planned sessions rather than casual drop‑ins.
Dining, Shopping, and Convention Center
Beyond the casino, NUSTAR’s integrated design is a major part of its appeal. The NUSTAR Mall curates luxury boutiques and a “Journey of Flavors” dining lineup, mixing local and international restaurants in a high‑end setting.
Reviews frequently mention standout experiences at the Fili dining outlets and lobby lounge, praising both food quality and the warmth of staff. The NUSTAR Convention Center opened fully in 2023, billed as the largest in the Visayas–Mindanao region, with capacity for up to 2,000 guests in multiple banquet halls and event spaces, positioning NUSTAR as a serious MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) venue.
Accessibility and Practical Considerations
Location‑wise, NUSTAR sits along Cebu’s South Road Properties, a short drive from landmarks like SM Seaside City Cebu and the coastal Il Corso area, which is reflected in hotel listings on sites like Agoda and Klook. Guests highlight easy access by car or taxi and appreciate the availability of on‑site parking and transport arrangements.
As a physical casino, bankroll management works very differently compared to online play: minimums at tables, cash handling, and potential high‑roller temptations at a luxury resort all amplify the importance of setting strict personal limits before stepping onto the gaming floor.
Score Breakdown: Why 8.7/10?
| Aspect | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resort & atmosphere | 9.2/10 | Ultra‑luxury integrated resort with top‑tier rooms and views, praised across major travel sites. |
| Casino & games | 8.5/10 | Large, modern gaming floor with slots, tables, and a well‑regarded poker room, though rake can be high. |
| Dining & amenities | 8.8/10 | Strong F&B, mall, and convention offerings that round out the “destination resort” feel. |
| Accessibility & practicality | 8.3/10 | Good location near SM Seaside and SRP with solid transport access, but casino pricing and stakes are clearly premium. |
Overall rating: 8.7/10 – “World‑class Cebu resort for premium gaming and getaways.”
How NUSTAR Fits in Your Gaming Mix
For PaymayaGaming readers, NUSTAR is best seen as the offline luxury counterpart to your online accounts:
- Use online platforms like 4rabet for day‑to‑day sports and casino grinding with GCash/Maya support.
- Treat sites like Luckyi, 9UUJILI, RA777, and 7SJL as varying‑risk online options depending on your bankroll and risk tolerance.
- Reserve NUSTAR for planned trips, where the goal is a full resort experience—gaming plus dining plus staycation—not just squeezing value out of promotions.
Responsible Gaming Reminder
Because NUSTAR combines luxury hospitality with a large casino floor, it can be easy to overshoot your limits if you arrive without a clear budget. PAGCOR’s Responsible Gamingframework emphasizes treating gambling as paid entertainment, setting firm time and money caps, and avoiding the use of gambling as a way to solve financial problems.
Whether you are loading an online wallet for 4rabet or walking into the NUSTAR casino with cash in hand, the principles are the same: plan your spend, accept losses as part of the experience, and walk away when the fun stops.
I’m Abner Cabanda, a Filipino gaming content creator sharing game reviews, guides, and esports insights. I help players make smarter choices and stay updated on Philippine gaming trends. Read More