The site is close to major Manila landmarks such as the University of Santo Tomas, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo, the Manila Chinese Cemetery, and the San Lazaro compound which houses the Department of Health head office, Hospital de San Lazaro and José R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

[5] The site itself was the location of the Monasterio de Santa Clara which the Manila Jockey Club purchased during the early days of the American colonial period in 1900.

[1] In 2001, the Manila Jockey Club entered into a joint venture agreement with SM Prime Holdings for conversion of 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of property into a shopping mall.

The casino is operated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) under the terms of the license issued to Manila Jockey Club in 2009.

The complex also contains facilities for meetings and events targeted to the affluent Filipino Chinese community in the area of Central Manila.