DigiPlus supports Philippine iGaming rules; eyes prediction markets
DigiPlus Interactive Corp., a Philippine-listed digital entertainment company, has thrown its support behind efforts to tighten regulation in the Philippines’ fast-growing online gaming sector, as policymakers push for stronger oversight and clearer standards.
The company said it is participating in a technical working group tasked with drafting legislation aimed at improving consumer protection and industry transparency.
DigiPlus said the proposed framework would introduce stricter controls on payment channels and tighter marketing restrictions, with the goal of ensuring a fair, secure and compliant environment for players.
“As a licensed and leading online gaming operator, we continue to welcome collaboration and active participation in discussions with the Philippine government to achieve our shared goal of raising the standards of the industry,” Eusebio Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus, said.
DigiPlus operates several major platforms in the Philippines, including BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, and said it is positioning itself to help guide the sector through a period of regulatory transition.
Recovery underway after e-wallet disruption
During a media roundtable on Wednesday, DigiPlus representatives said the company is also navigating a recovery phase following regulatory changes that disrupted digital payment flows across the industry.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine central bank, ordered the delinking of online gaming platforms from e-wallets in August last year, temporarily affecting user transactions. According to DigiPlus president Andy Tsui, the business is now regaining momentum.
“The delinking happened in mid-August. We saw a steady recovery over the last six months,” Tsui told local and international reporters. He added that a full rebound is expected later this year, noting the company’s outlook for a return to pre-disruption levels.
To mitigate the impact, Tsui shared that DigiPlus expanded its payment ecosystem and shifted focus towards its most loyal customers. More than half of its users have migrated to the company’s proprietary platform, with further growth anticipated.
“Since last year, after delinking, we’ve been migrating our long-term high-value users to our proprietary platform,” Tsui said.
The company said it also strengthened offline payment options through partnerships and physical channels, including tie-ups with Bayad and the rollout of Pay&Go kiosks. “We’re just providing more options to the player to make it more convenient for them to deposit money. So, there’s no change even after the delinking,” Tsui said.
Celeste Jovenir, Vice President for Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, and Sustainability, said DigiPlus refocused on its core customer base during the disruption. “We really focused on the long-term, higher value players. A lot of them are part of our VIP programme, so we really went back to our core,” she said.
Prediction markets eyed as future segment
Beyond its core operations, DigiPlus executives shared that it is also exploring new opportunities, including the potential development of prediction markets in the Philippines. Tsui said the company is in early-stage discussions with regulators about the viability of such platforms, which allow users to wager on the outcomes of real-world events.
“We hope it [prediction markets] could be another kind of offering that we can develop in the coming years,” Tsui told reporters. He, however, stressed that any move into prediction markets would depend on regulatory clarity and approval, noting that the legal framework in the Philippines remains restrictive.
Tsui also expressed confidence that broader regulatory changes would support long-term industry stability. “We are quite comfortable that there will be no total ban, just stricter regulations for the sector,” he said. “These will be positive in establishing a long-term, sustainable industry.”
Company explores hybrid model with land-based to boost engagement
DigiPlus is also assessing opportunities to expand its footprint beyond digital platforms, including potential investments in land-based gaming operations. Tsui confirmed that the company is progressing with its planned investment linked to a casino operator, while studying further opportunities in the physical gaming space.
“A total of PHP12 billion ($199 million) to purchase the convertible from IEC (International Entertainment Corp.), IEC is the owner and operator of the New Coast Hotel and Casino. So, these transactions are actually going as planned. We made the first payment of 6 billion in early March, and the final payment will be made before the end of May or early June,” Tsui said.
He added that the company has secured the necessary approvals to proceed with the transaction. Beyond the initial investment, Tsui shared that DigiPlus is evaluating further expansion into land-based operations as part of a broader strategy to build a hybrid entertainment model.
“Currently, we are also exploring other projects. We might explore further increasing our positions in the land-based operations,” Tsui said. He noted that the company is also looking to expand its digital content offering to complement these plans.
“The other project we also explore is more digital entertainment content that will enhance our offering on our platform,” he said.
Tsui said the dual approach is aligned with DigiPlus’ long-term goal of creating an integrated entertainment ecosystem that connects online and offline experiences.
DigiPlus said it will continue to align its growth strategy with regulatory developments, investing in technology, customer protection measures and new products while maintaining compliance with government standards.
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