Philippines-listed and licensed online gaming operator DigiPlus Interactive Corp will establish what was described as an “integration team” to help incorporate its online gaming expertise on the land-based casino operations linked to the New Coast Hotel Manila property in the Philippine capital.
That is according to remarks by DigiPlus’ president, Andy Tsui (pictured, left), during a press briefing on Wednesday.
DigiPlus is currently in the process of acquiring HKD1.60 billion (US$204.1 million) in convertible notes issued by Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment Corp. The first tranche of notes, in the amount of HKD800.0 million, was issued earlier this month.
Once fully converted, the notes would give DigiPlus a 53.89 percent stake in International Entertainment based on the enlarged share capital, according to previous filings.
The deal will provide DigiPlus a foothold in the Philippines’ land-based casino sector as International Entertainment controls the New Coast Hotel Manila. The complex has a provisional casino gaming licence from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).
International Entertainment said recently that it was aiming for a “grand reopening” in July of the New Coast Hotel Manila. In January, the company completed renovation works on the casino’s ground floor.
In his Wednesday comments, Mr Tsui said a priority would be to “enhance casino management” at the New Coast Hotel Manila complex.
“We will have a team to help with the integration of our online player [database] into the offline” segment, the executive stated.
“That will help in improving the overall revenue stream for both companies,” Mr Tsui noted.
Once the notes are converted, DigiPlus will have three out of five board seats in International Entertainment, and will also “be adding more management resources” to the Hong Kong-listed firm, he added.
Mr Tsui said the company expects to make the final payment related to the acquisition of the notes “before the end of May or in early June”.
DigiPlus’ president said the group was also “exploring other projects,” including the possibility of further investments in land-based operations. He did not disclose details about such plans.
“We are also exploring the digital entertainment content [sector] to enrich the offering in our platform,” Mr Tsui stated. “This is aligned with our business strategy to become a digital entertainment ecosystem and build an omnichannel for our players.”
Ongoing recovery
Earlier this month DigiPlus posted net income of PHP12.6 billion (US$209.7 million) for full-year 2025, flat from the prior year, on revenues that rose 12 percent year-on-year to PHP84.2 billion.
The company also declared a cash dividend amounting to PHP3.8 billion, which it said was “equivalent to 30 percent of full-year 2025 consolidated net income attributable to shareholders”.
The company said at the time that a “strong performance” in the first half of 2025 was “offset by the temporary moderation in activity” following an order in August by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippines’ central bank, mandating providers of e-wallets and other digital payment systems to remove in-app access links to licensed online gaming platforms.
On Wednesday, Mr Tsui said the group saw a “steady recovery over the last six months,” as it has focused on engaging its high-value customers. The company describes those as the top “20 to 30 percent” of the users of its platforms, who generate “around 70 to 80 percent” of the group’s revenues.
In the Philippines, DigiPlus runs BingoPlus, described as the country’s first government-approved online bingo platform. It also operates ArenaPlus, a sportsbook, and GameZone, a platform for casual and arcade gaming.
“We are still in the recovery stage. We will probably see more of a recovery in the third or fourth quarter this year,” the DigiPlus president said.
Asked about the eventual impact of potential fuel shortages and price increases in the Philippines, Mr Tsui said DigiPlus hasn’t seen so far “anything significant” that could affect its business, adding that the company would continue to “observe” the market in the next few months.
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of national emergency in response to the surge in global oil prices and upended global markets due to the Middle East conflict. President Marcos Jr’s move aimed to address potential disruption in fuel supply and stabilise the country’s energy sector, as per local media reports.
Celeste Jovenir (pictured, right), DigiPlus’ vice president of investor relations, said on Wednesday’s company briefing that the firm’s business model was “not really anchored on macroeconomics”.
“If there’s an economic slowdown, due to the energy crisis, it’s not like we will tweak our plans just to be able to recoup [business volumes],” she stated. “We will adapt and respond along the way to face this challenge.”
In his Wednesday remarks, Mr Tsui said the group is still “developing some localised games” for the Brazilian market, with a relaunch date to be announced “later this year”.
DigiPlus paused in mid-October the operations of its gaming platform in Brazil, less than one month after it launched them.
In late September, DigiPlus “formally filed” three online-related licence applications with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board in South Africa.
“We expect to receive the licence approvals within the second quarter of this year,” Mr Tsui said.
