Philippine-listed and licensed online gaming operator DigiPlus Interactive Corp said on Friday it aims to expand into South Africa. The company stated that it is preparing to file three licence applications with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), the regional regulator for the country’s Western Cape province.
DigiPlus said it would be applying for a national manufacturer licence, a bookmaker licence, and a bookmaker premises licence.
It added: “Key employee licences will also be secured to support operational leadership.”
The firm stated in a press release filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange that “the move positions DigiPlus to enter Africa’s most mature and rapidly growing online gambling market, where digital sports betting already accounts for nearly half of total gaming revenues.”
It added that it marked “the next phase of its international growth strategy” following the group’s “Brazil launch this September”.
Last January, the firm announced that a unit had received the Brazilian government’s permission to run “sports betting and other online games” there.
DigiPlus is a Philippine holding company with investments in gaming and leisure businesses, including bingo services and a digital sportsbook platform.
In the Philippines, the brand 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.
The firm has experienced stock price volatility in recent weeks following reports that the local government might introduce stricter policies regarding access to digital gambling platforms, as well as a possible tax move by national authorities. An anticipated state-of-the-nation address by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr this Monday (July 28) might clarify whether the Philippines will pursue tighter regulation of its online gambling sector or an outright ban, according to a Friday memo from Maybank Securities Inc.
Friday’s DigiPlus press release quoted company chairman Eusebio Tanco as saying: “South Africa is not just the largest online gaming market in Africa; it’s a gateway to the continent’s digital future.”
He added: “As we expand from Southeast Asia to Latin America and now Africa, we remain committed to responsible innovation, local compliance, and developing products that connect deeply with culture and community.”
DigiPlus said the licensing process in South Africa would require a minimum of six months from the time of filing.
The company is establishing a local legal entity in South Africa, in line with licensing requirements that allow foreign ownership and directorship, it said.
Unattributed estimates mentioned in the DigiPlus release stated that the South African online betting industry was valued at more than US$1.6 billion in 2023 and 2024. The firm added that the market was “projected to grow by up to 5 percent annually, driven by rising mobile use, a digitally engaged population, and robust demand for live sports betting.”
DigiPlus concluded saying that South Africa’s online gambling sector offered a “scalable, regulated environment for forward-looking operators.”
