ArenaPlus rolls out NBA-style brackets as player numbers dip
Philippine-based sportsbook platform ArenaPlus, under DigiPlus Interactive Corp, has introduced a US-style basketball tournament bracket game to the local market. Reportedly, the initiative is being done to attract new users and improve retention among existing players, reflecting the platform’s strategic push to expand engagement in the country’s sports-betting sector.
According to the press release from DigiPlus, the move will roll out a prediction challenge to attract new participants while deepening engagement among existing players. By combining entertainment with interactive competition, DigiPlus hopes to strengthen ArenaPlus’s position in the Philippine online sportsbook market.
It will also include a localised tournament bracket game, modelled on single-elimination formats popular in American sports such as basketball and football. Participants predict the outcomes in a tournament ‘tree’, with correct forecasts advancing them through successive rounds. Erick Su, head of ArenaPlus, noted that the NBA-inspired bracket is designed to resonate with Filipino basketball fans, as the sport remains one of the country’s most followed.
Free-to-play platform
The game will be free to play, letting users join without spending any money. The company has arleady rolled out identity checks through electronic KYC (eKYC) and tools to let players manage their activity, including daily play limits and loss caps, aiming to keep participation safe and responsible.
The launch comes as online gaming in the Philippines slows. Both the overall market and ArenaPlus have lost users, with engagement dropping from 93.03 million in December 2025 to 89.8 million in March 2026, according to the Blask Index.
ArenaPlus’ metrics followed a similar trend, falling from 3.94 million in December 2025 to 3.31 million in Feb 2026, drawing attention to the need for initiatives to boost engagement.
Why basketball?
Basketball is among the most popular sports in the Philippines, making it a natural focus for sportsbook campaigns. According to estimates from Asia Sport Tech, the country has an over-110-million-strong population, with an average age under 25, providing a young, engaged audience that watches, plays, and interacts with sports and esports online. Basketball leads the way, with over 75 percent of Filipinos identifying as fans and one in three actively playing the sport.
Both the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) attract substantial attention from local viewers and bettors. The frequent games, live betting opportunities, and variety of markets, including spreads, totals, props, and parlays, have made basketball a dominant category in the Philippine online betting space.
The firm views the campaign as both a marketing and engagement tool. Analysts note that the bracket game format shows a notable innovation for the local market, bringing an international sports concept to Philippine users.
DigiPlus has previously participated in a technical working group in the Philippines to assist in drafting consumer protection legislation. Experts say the Prediction Giveaway appears to be aimed at combining entertainment with responsible gaming, helping build user trust while supporting growth in a regulated and competitive market.
With the Philippine online sportsbook and gambling sectors declining in the first three months of 2026, analysts note that integrating interactive content, local cultural relevance, and clear regulatory safeguards is crucial for operators to stay competitive.
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