Ping Chen, DigiPlus’ president, was cited as saying in the update: “We continue to invest in innovation and technology to deliver the best possible entertainment experiences for our customers.”

That was while “ensuring that our commitment to player protection, strong corporate governance, and positive community impact grows alongside our business,” added the executive.

According to the firm, the new strategy “integrates localised product innovation, player protection and responsible gaming, community empowerment, and strong corporate governance into the company’s daily operations and approach to growth.”

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. Another unit of the Philippine Stock Exchange-listed group operates casino slot arcades in the country.

The company said in its Wednesday statement that it continued to enhance its in-app responsible gaming tools and strengthen its 24/7 customer care capabilities, providing players with support and access to resources such as the EmbracePLUS helplines. DigiPlus added: “Complementing these efforts are ongoing education and awareness initiatives that empower players to stay informed and engage in safe and balanced entertainment.”

It further noted that as an “added financial safeguard,” what it termed the company’s “industry-first” surety bond programme also remains available across DigiPlus’ platforms.

The announcement asserted the company – regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) – “upholds strong corporate governance and regulatory compliance”.

DigiPlus reiterated its ArenaPlus sportsbook had been linked to the Sportradar Integrity Exchange (SIE), from gaming services provider Sportradar Group AG.

DigiPlus described the SIE as a “global network that helps detect suspicious betting activities in real time”.

The firm also mentioned its 2025 Integrated Report had established a “comprehensive economic, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) baseline ahead of the 2026 reporting cycle”.

Maybank stated in a memo on Wednesday that “brick-and-mortar casinos face steep headwinds due to inflation, high utility costs cannibalising disposable income, and a lack of VIP high-rollers tied to slower-than-expected tourism growth.”

The Philippines reported in April that first-quarter foreign visitor arrivals were up 2.6 percent year-on-year, to circa 1.76 million, spurred by growth in most key markets except South Korea and China.

In its ‘Daily Edge’ digest of its analyst output for the Philippines’ business sectors, Maybank referred to comments at the start of June by Alejandro Tengco, chairman and chief executive of the country’s gaming regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).

He had said the Philippine gambling sector could see gross gaming revenue (GGR) decline by as much as 19 percent this year. It could be as low as PHP320 billion (US$5.20 billion) this year, versus the PHP396.14- billion recorded in 2025.

Maybank noted that notwithstanding land-based gaming’s challenges, “online gaming serves as the industry’s primary bright spot,” with operators such as Philippines-listed DigiPlus Interactive Corp “expected to outperform by leveraging promotional activities and expanding into lower-income segments”.

If a total of just over 93.8-million redeemable preferred shares of PhilWeb are fully exercised, Mr Gokonwei’s interest in PhilWeb’s total issued and outstanding common shares will rise to approximately 15 percent, according to the filing.

PhilWeb said in the update to the Philippine Stock Exchange that the transaction “is intended to support the company’s capital raising initiatives and related corporate initiatives”.

It noted in a separate press release: “The investment marks a significant milestone in PhilWeb’s transformation into an AI [artificial intelligence]-enabled technology infrastructure company serving the regulated digital entertainment sector.

“Beyond the capital infusion, PhilWeb expects to benefit from Mr Gokongwei’s strategic perspective, institutional experience, and extensive business network as the company strengthens its long-term technology roadmap and growth strategy.”

Mr Gokongwei is president and chief executive of JG Summit Holdings Inc, one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates, which controls a number of brands such as Robinsons Land Corp, Universal Robina Corp, and the air carrier Cebu Pacific. NUSTAR Resort & Casino, on Cebu in the Philippines, is owned and operated by Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc, which is a privately-owned company by the Gokongwei family.

However, PhilWeb said that, in the deal now announced, Mr Gokongwei was acting in a “personal capacity”.

Brian Ng (pictured in a file photo), president of PhilWeb, was cited as saying in the press release that Mr Gokongwei’s investment “represents a strong endorsement” of the firm’s technology platform and long-term vision.

Mr Ng added: ‘Data intelligence and automated compliance tools are becoming essential layers of modern digital infrastructure.

“With Lance’s strategic investment and business network, PhilWeb is well positioned to expand our AI technology roadmap, serve our established ecosystem of leading partners more efficiently, and evaluate long-term growth opportunities.”

Long-term path

In March, PhilWeb confirmed a change of ownership after a management-led buyout.

The company has been highly-active as a services provider to the Philippine online gaming sector. In January, the firm announced a “strategic partnership” for the “operation and management” of the online gaming platform for Hann Casino Resort, a complex at Clark Freeport Zone.

In March, PhilWeb said it would be working with NUSTAR Online. It was described by PhilWeb as a “gaming and entertainment platform” that is also Pagcor-licensed. It is linked to NUSTAR Resort & Casino.

In April, PhilWeb announced a partnership with Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, operator of the Newport World Resorts casino and leisure complex in the Philippine capital Manila. It was for the latter’s online gaming business.

In May, PhilWeb launched the “Okada Play” online gaming platform in partnership with Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, the promoter of the Okada Manila casino resort in the Philippine capital.

PhilWeb stated in its Wednesday update to the Philippine bourse that the share subscription agreement entered with Mr Gokongwei was for just over 159.5 million common shares and just over 93.8 million redeemable preferred shares of the company, at a subscription price of PHP8.00 per share.

The subscribed shares will be issued from the additional common and redeemable preferred shares to be created via a proposed increase in PhilWeb’s authorised capital stock from PHP2.6 billion to PHP3.6 billion.

The latter move is “subject to the approval of the company’s stockholders, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other applicable regulatory requirements”.

Gaming tech plans

PhilWeb said the money raised from the exercise would help “strengthen PhilWeb’s balance sheet and support the integration of advanced data and AI capabilities across its core technology roadmap”.

This included “intelligent platform tools to support real-time risk scoring, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity detection, and responsible gaming controls”.

An additional area of investment was data analytics and platform intelligence, namely the development of secure data models designed to “interpret user behaviour, optimise player lifecycle management, and improve platform operating efficiency”.

There would also be backing for intelligent recommendation and retention tools, including automated recommendation engines to help licensed operators improve content discovery, platform performance, and user engagement, PhilWeb said.

The company would also work on “enhancing” internal and partner-facing systems through automation tools to “optimise compliance workflows, reporting, and high-throughput platform monitoring”.

The step is part of the agency’s efforts to strengthen responsible gaming measures in the country, according to a Wednesday press release.

Per a memorandum issued on June 9 by Pagcor’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department, the requirement applies to all licensees, suppliers, gaming system administrators, gaming venue operators and other industry participants.

Under the directive, existing responsible gaming advertisements displayed on “billboards, wallscapes, digital displays and other out-of-home advertising platforms” are to be replaced with a standard NPGH advertising template.

The NPGH is a national helpline for people who consider themselves negatively affected by gambling. It officially launched on May 26 and operates 24 hours a day, according to Pagcor.

Wednesday’s announcement cited Pagcor chairman and chief executive, Alejandro Tengco, as saying the step was intended to ensure that assistance was readily available to individuals experiencing gambling-related harm.

“Responsible gaming goes beyond awareness. It also means ensuring that help is readily available to those who need it most,” Mr Tengco stated.

He added: “By promoting the NPGH that we launched recently, we can offer professional support for individuals and families affected by gambling-related harm.”

“This initiative reflects Pagcor’s commitment to foster a safer and more responsible gaming environment for all,” the Pagcor chief noted.

According to the regulator, all required advertising replacements must be completed by July 15 and maintained until September 15.

Mr Tengco said the NPGH promotional materials would not require approval from the country’s Ad Standards Council, with an exemption certificate to be issued by the organisation.

The regulator also said that all gaming operators must submit a status report on their advertising replacement programmes by July 16. Failure to comply could result in “regulatory sanctions and other penalties,” it added.

The latest directive forms part of a broader responsible gaming push by the Philippine regulator. In July last year, Pagcor ordered the removal of all billboards and other out-of-home gambling advertisements and introduced tighter restrictions on gaming-related promotions in public spaces.

The property debuted the “Okada Online Casino Win Zone” on June 12 at the mass-market gaming floor of the complex, describing it as a “first-of-its-kind interactive showcase” for online casino gaming in the Philippines.

The Okada Manila complex is controlled by Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp.

According to a statement by the property’s promoter, the activation area features “live-table gaming, live-slot products and eGaming demonstration stations,” allowing visitors to experience the platform’s offerings in a physical casino setting.

Okada Manila said the new zone was designed to give guests an opportunity to experience the online casino platform while visiting the complex, with the aim of “encouraging” continued engagement beyond the physical property. 

The initiative comes as casino operators in the Philippines continue to expand their presence in the nation’s regulated online gaming sector, which remains a significant contributor to gaming industry revenue.

In recent weeks, Okada Manila has announced steps to strengthen its position in both the domestic and international tourism markets. These covered initiatives aimed at expanding the resort’s appeal to overseas visitors, including a renewed focus on the Japanese market.

The decision was approved by the company’s board following a recommendation from management, according to a Thursday filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The hotel, formerly known as Waterfront Manila Hotel & Casino, was severely damaged by a fire in March 2018. Reconstruction began in 2019 using PHP1.5 billion (US$24.5 million) in insurance proceeds received from the property’s insurers.

In Thursday’s announcement, Acesite said work slowed significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic and that a reassessment of the project’s commercial viability had prompted management to halt further reconstruction efforts.

The company stated that revised reconstruction costs have risen to PHP3.6 billion, more than double the original estimates prepared before the pandemic. It cited substantial increases in construction materials, labour and fuel costs, as well as the need for additional structural corrections, civil works and design modifications.

Acesite – which is 56 percent owned by Waterfront Philippines Inc – had previously envisaged a phased reopening, with a soft launch targeted for the first quarter of 2026. The firm said that plan had been intended to spread out capital requirements associated with the reconstruction programme.

Management, however, expressed concerns regarding tourism and gaming demand in the Philippines market.

“The inability of the local market to generate sufficient foreign room sales in 2026, as well as the weak indications of an uptick in tourism arrivals projected for 2027 due to the ongoing protracted U.S.-Israel-Iran war are issues that need serious attention,” the company stated.

Acesite additionally noted that Manila’s casino market was facing a “serious plateau” amid the rapid growth of online gaming. The company also said the number of inbound Chinese visitors had not recovered despite the Philippines’ visa-free policy for Chinese tourists.

“These considerations have prompted management to reconsider the pouring in of additional considerable sums to reopen the hotel at this point in time,” the firm noted.

Acesite said reconstruction would only resume once industry indicators, including visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy levels, average room rates and gaming revenues, show sufficient improvement to support debt servicing and investment returns.

“The earliest estimate of this is 2028,” the company said.

Acesite also disclosed that PHP764 million in retained earnings had recently been appropriated for the reconstruction project as part of efforts to strengthen the firm’s balance sheet.

In the meantime, the company said it would allocate an annual maintenance budget to ensure the hotel’s existing structure remains safe and usable while reconstruction remains suspended.

Ms Tam announced the appointment in a social media post on Wednesday, saying she looked forward to working with the property’s sales and marketing teams to “leverage” the resort’s “strengths and synergies across various disciplines”.

Ms Tam rejoined Okada Manila in September last year as executive vice president of casino marketing.

“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Shirley Tam to chief marketing officer, where she will lead the strategic integration of gaming and non-gaming sales and marketing,” the promoter of Okada Manila said in a statement sent to GGRAsia on Thursday.

It added: “This unified approach is designed to drive business growth, expand cross‑category opportunities, and accelerate performance across all channels as we pursue our long‑term objectives.”

Ms Tam had previously served as Okada Manila’s senior vice president of premium marketing, between October 2018 and August 2021.

Prior to rejoining Okada Manila last year, Ms Tam was chief casino marketing officer at Inspire Entertainment Resort, a complex with foreigner-only casino at Incheon in South Korea.

She has also held senior marketing positions at Sands China Ltd, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, Wynn Macau Ltd, and Genting Hong Kong Ltd.

Okada Manila is operated by Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, a subsidiary of Japan-based entertainment conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp.

The management change comes as Okada Manila continues efforts to strengthen its position in both the domestic and international tourism markets. The property has in recent weeks highlighted initiatives aimed at expanding its appeal to overseas visitors, including a renewed focus on the Japanese market.

International Entertainment is the controller of a Manila Bay, Philippines, casino hotel with a provisional gaming licence from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor). The property, long known as New Coast Hotel Manila, is currently being promoted as LaVie Resort & Casino Manila (pictured).

The Hong Kong-listed firm announced in a Tuesday filing that its indirect Philippine subsidiary, New Coast Leisure Inc (NCLI), had signed a cooperation agreement with Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc (TGXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DigiPlus, to collaborate on the integration, aggregation, provision and operation of online gaming content.

The agreement, signed on Tuesday, covers online games and related content linked to the operations of LaVie Resort & Casino Manila, subject to approval from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), and compliance with applicable regulations.

The deal has an initial term of two years and will automatically be renewed annually unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.

The partnership will make possible the start of International Entertainment’s online gaming business, following the group’s announcement in April that it intended to enter the segment.

Under the arrangement, NCLI will maintain the licences and accreditations required for online gaming operations, oversee regulatory compliance, track gaming performance and conduct revenue audits. 

TGXI will provide gaming software support, game aggregation services, certified game content, technical integration and related operational assistance.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The filing stated that any revenue sharing, commissions or economic benefits arising from the cooperation would be agreed by the parties based on their respective contributions.

International Entertainment said it had obtained a legal opinion from a Philippine counsel confirming that the proposed online gaming operations would comply with local law. 

The company also received advice that the business would not contravene Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance because the platform will be accessible only within the Philippines through Internet-protocol blocking measures required by Pagcor regulations.

NCLI operates LaVie Resort & Casino Manila and holds several Pagcor-issued permits. That includes an electronic (e-Casino) games operator licence; certificate of accreditation as a Gaming System Administrator of Pagcor-licensed gaming venues for electronic games; and a certificate of accreditation as a game content provider.

TGXI is described as an “experienced” online gaming operator. Its parent, DigiPlus, is also the holder of HKD1.6 billion (US$204.2 million) in convertible bonds issued by International Entertainment. The filing noted that TGXI and DigiPlus are regarded as independent third parties for listing-rule purposes.

International Entertainment said the Philippine online gaming market was benefiting from supportive government policies, technological advances and growing consumer demand. 

The firm cited industry forecasts suggesting the country’s gaming market could reach nearly US$9.9 billion by 2033, “representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.29 percent for 2025 to 2033”.

“The directors are of the view that the online gaming sector in the Philippines is undergoing rapid expansion,” the company said, adding that participation in the segment would “broaden the group’s revenue base, improve operational scalability, and create new growth drivers”.

“This structure allows the group to capitalise on TGXI’s established online gaming infrastructure, significantly reducing the time and resources required to build a platform from the ground up,” International Entertainment added.

The Okada Manila complex is controlled by Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp.

The Manila casino resort said in a Thursday statement that changing travel preferences among Japanese consumers and the recovery of overseas travel demand had prompted the group to expand support services and improve the overall guest experience for Japanese patrons.

Okada Manila described Japan as an “important target market” and said it was implementing a range of initiatives aimed at providing greater “comfort, language support and personalised services” for Japanese guests.

As part of the effort, the property announced last month the launch of “Ariake”, described as a gaming club designed for Japanese VIP guests.

Ariake is part of the overall strategy of attracting international premium players, per Okada Manila.

The club is said to feature a selection of table games and “premium gaming machines”. It also offers a “private table games salon,” to promote a sense of exclusivity to customers, according to the announcement.

In Thursday’s announcement, Okada Manila mentioned enhancing support for international visitors, including service delivery in relevant languages, and in hospitality and facilities designed to meet “cultural preferences and usage” requirements.

It would in particular continue to boost services and guest offerings for the Japanese market as it seeks to position itself as a “preferred overseas destination” for travellers from Japan, according to the statement.

In May, Universal Entertainment acknowledged that the gaming industry in the Philippines continued to “face structural headwinds,” as Okada Manila’s first-quarter results “fell short” from a year earlier.

“We recognise that the gaming market in Entertainment City, Manila, Philippines, remains in a period of adjustment,” the parent said in its first-quarter earnings report.

“Against the backdrop of structural changes in the VIP market, fierce competition with rivals to acquire mass-market customers continues, driving up customer acquisition costs,” it added.

The group also announced the launch of the “Okada Play” online gaming platform last month in partnership with gaming technology provider PhilWeb Corp.

Projected revenue, measured via what Blask calls the competitive earning baseline (CEB), reached US$1.17 billion at midpoint, across what it said were “257 active operators”. That was up 32 percent versus first-quarter 2025.

Blask describes CEB as an AI-driven projection of the realistic gross gaming revenue (GGR) a brand should capture in a specific market, rather than a standard internal profit-and-loss metric.

It stated that for the three months to March 31, offshore operators addressing the Philippine market “accounted for an estimated 46 percent of projected brand revenue… equivalent to approximately US$535 million at the midpoint.”

Blask added, referring to online operators approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor): “Licensed onshore operators contributed the remaining 54 percent, or roughly US$637 million.”

Blask noted in an analysis briefing shared with GGRAsia, that the revenue-split between offshore and onshore operators had shown “narrowing” over the quarter. 

It stated: “In January, onshore and offshore revenue stood close to parity (51 percent/49 percent). By March the gap had widened to 58 percent/42 percent in favour of licensed operators.”

The analytics brand said some divergence in Pagcor data on online gaming demand and the figures observed by Blask, could to some extent be assigned to differences in reporting scope.

Blask said that while from its analysis, first-quarter consumer demand for online gambling brands in the Philippines “rose sharply” over the same period, Pagcor reported a 15.9 percent year-on-year decline in aggregate GGR, to PHP87.60 billion (US$1.42 billion).

The decline was driven by Pagcor’s defined electronic gaming segment – “e-bingo, e-games, and bingo grantees” – which fell 22.4 percent year-on-year to PHP39.90 billion.

Blask said the divergence reflects a difference in scope in reporting methods. 

“Pagcor’s figures capture its licensed operator framework and land-based venues, while Blask tracks consumer-facing digital demand – including offshore brands that fall outside Pagcor’s reporting perimeter,” it explained.

Blask Index – the platform’s measure of brand demand – nearly tripled year-on-year for the Philippine market in the three months to March 31.

The analytics firm also said that what it describes as top 10 brands by Brand’s Accumulated Power (BAP) “show a clear pattern”. BAP is defined as a brand’s share of total market demand in a given country and period.

According to Blask’s data, “seven of the top eight operators posted year-on-year Blask Index growth above 400 percent, with three exceeding +3,000 percent”. 

“All eight top-ranked brands operate under a Pagcor licence, while the remaining two… are offshore and both declined year-on-year,” the firm noted.

“This points to competitive redistribution within the licensed segment rather than uniform market expansion,” it added.