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International Entertainment wraps up Manila casino upgrade, targets July 2026 hotel reopening

Viviana Chan
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International Entertainment wraps up Manila casino upgrade, targets July 2026 hotel reopening

Renovation works on the ground floor of New Coast Hotel Manila, operated by International Entertainment Corporation (IEC), were completed in January 2026, as part of the group’s efforts to enhance operational capacity and support long-term growth.

In a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company said the project expanded the number of gaming tables from 99 to 116 and increased slot machines and electronic gaming machines from 517 to 664.

The upgrade formed part of the company’s broader modernization program,, which aims to improve infrastructure and facilities at its integrated resort in the Philippine capital. The group said the project ‘successfully expanded the gaming space’, strengthening its ability to accommodate rising demand and improve overall efficiency.

New Coast Hotel, International Entertainment, Manila

Gaming revenue jumps 84.4%

During the six months ended December 31st, 2025, revenue from the gaming operation segment rose 84.4 percent year-on-year to approximately HK$442.5 million ($56.6 million), compared with about HK$240 million ($30.7 million) in the previous period. Gaming activities accounted for around 96.4 percent of total group revenue, up from 89.7 percent a year earlier.

Despite the strong revenue growth, International Entertainment recorded an attributable loss of HK$85.8 million ($11 million) for the period, narrowing by 9.7 percent from a loss of HK$95 million ($12.1 million) one year prior, according to its interim results filing. Management attributed the improvement mainly to higher land-based casino revenue and increased commission income.

The company noted that the Philippines continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for gaming and tourism, supporting the recovery of its core operations. In its business review, the group said the performance of the gaming segment ‘has shown significant improvement’ amid a gradual rebound in visitor traffic.

Hotel operations, however, were negatively affected by the renovation program. Revenue from the hotel segment declined 40.4 percent year-on-year to approximately HK$16.5 million ($2.1 million), largely due to the temporary closure of certain rooms for refurbishment. The group said the renovation initiative was intended to ensure that the hotel ‘maintains premium service standards that complement the Casino’s evolving operations.’

Further facility upgrades are scheduled for completion in the coming months, with management expecting a grand reopening of the hotel in July 2026. The company said the enhancements are designed to ‘elevate the overall guest experience’ and drive higher occupancy and sustained revenue growth across both gaming and hospitality segments.

DigiPlus-BGC, Manila Philippines

DigiPlus deal heads to shareholder vote

Separately, the group has scheduled an extraordinary general meeting on February 26th, 2026, at which shareholders vote on a proposed financing arrangement with DigiPlus Interactive Corp. Under the plan, International Entertainment intends to issue up to HK$1.6 billion ($204.6 million) in five-year convertible notes, carrying an annual interest rate of 3 percent.

If fully converted, the notes would significantly increase DigiPlus’s equity stake in the company. As a result, International Entertainment is also seeking shareholder approval for a Whitewash Waiver, which would exempt DigiPlus from making a mandatory takeover offer under Hong Kong’s Takeovers Code.

Management said the transaction is aimed at strengthening liquidity and supporting its long-term investment commitments, including its $1 billion-$1.2 billion development obligation under its provisional license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Amid improving market conditions, the group cited market research projecting that the Philippine casino gambling market will reach $3.75 billion by 2033, supported by infrastructure upgrades, expanded visa-free entry, and intensified tourism promotion. The company said its expanded gaming capacity and upgraded facilities position it to capitalize on these growth opportunities.

SOFTSWISS enters Brazil’s ANJL as Carla Dualib takes a Board seat

AGBrief Editorial
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SOFTSWISS enters Brazil’s ANJL as Carla Dualib takes a Board seat

SOFTSWISS has announced its official membership in Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias (ANJL), becoming the first technology provider to join Brazil’s National Association of Games and Lotteries.

Alongside this, Carla Dualib, Business Development Manager for Brazil at SOFTSWISS, has joined the ANJL Board as Communications Director, while continuing her current role at the company.

ANJL represents licensed operators and key stakeholders of Brazil’s betting and lottery sector, working closely with regulators and government bodies to support the development of a transparent, regulated, and sustainable market. The association also plays an active role in industry dialogue around compliance, responsible gambling, and the promotion of market best practices.

By joining ANJL, SOFTSWISS reinforces the role of technology providers in Brazil’s regulated ecosystem by contributing compliance expertise, market experience, and commitment to responsible growth.

In her role as Communications Director on the Association’s Board, Carla Dualib will focus on strengthening industry dialogue, enhancing professional engagement, and supporting transparent communication between operators and regulators, helping advance the sustainable development of Brazil’s regulated market.

Carla Dualib joined SOFTSWISS in 2023 and has become one of the key figures driving the company’s engagement in Brazil. With nearly three decades of experience in marketing, sports, and business development, she brings extensive local expertise and a strong professional network to the association’s communications agenda.

“Brazil’s regulated market is entering a new phase where communication, collaboration, and shared standards matter more than ever,” said Carla Dualib, Business Development Manager for Brazil at SOFTSWISS and Communications Director at ANJL. “ANJL plays an essential role in bringing the industry together, and I am honoured to contribute to initiatives that support responsible growth and a strong long-term market framework.”

Plínio Lemos Jorge, President of ANJL, commented on the appointment: “We have been looking for this kind of expertise to strengthen our communications and industry engagement. Carla brings strong credibility in Brazil and a deep understanding of the market. Her role aligns with ANJL’s mission to support a transparent and sustainable regulated sector.”

SOFTSWISS continues to expand its presence in Latin America, supporting operators in regulated markets through compliant, market-ready technology and local expertise. 

At the upcoming SBC Summit Rio 2026, taking place 3–5 March 2026 at Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro, SOFTSWISS representatives will be available for meetings at Networking Lounge: A450.

Slotegrator strengthens its Anti‑fraud capabilities with a new AI‑powered assistant

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Slotegrator strengthens its Anti‑fraud capabilities with a new AI‑powered assistant

Slotegrator has announced the launch of an AI-powered assistant within its Anti-fraud module, a feature the company positions as a new approach to risk analytics for iGaming operators, currently positioned as a pilot product.

The solution represents a completely new functionality for Slotegrator’s platform. It is designed to help operators quickly interpret complex risk data and focus on the most critical areas without manually reviewing large volumes of charts and reports.

Unlike traditional anti-fraud tools that rely solely on static dashboards and manual analysis, the AI anti-fraud assistant transforms existing analytical data into structured summaries and practical insights. The system does not generate new data or make automated decisions but works exclusively with the information already available in the Anti-fraud dashboard.

Within the module interface, users can initiate the AI assistant and choose among three predefined inquiry options:

  1. What is the overall risk situation?

    The AI processes the dashboard metrics and delivers a concise overview of the current risk landscape, highlighting patterns and potential areas of concern. This functionality is particularly useful for new operators, as well as for teams managing multiple projects and high volumes of risk-related data simultaneously.

  2. Which risk categories are currently the most critical?

    In addition to project-level analysis, the assistant is also available in the Player Overview section. Here, it generates summaries based on individual player behavior indicators, helping support and risk management teams quickly assess potentially suspicious activity.

    Data privacy and security remain a key focus of the new feature. The AI assistant does not process or expose any personal data of players or clients. All analytics are based solely on anonymized numerical indicators and internal system metrics.

  3. What should be prioritized right now?

    Slotegrator stresses that the AI assistant should be viewed strictly as a support tool rather than a decision-making authority. The AI ​​Anti-fraud assistant does not replace a lawyer or a compliance officer — it cannot block a player or impose restrictions. It can provide analytical recommendations, but the final decision is always taken by a human.

    According to Slotegrator, the introduction of an AI assistant into anti-fraud analytics reflects a broader trend in iGaming toward intelligent automation and decision-support tools rather than full automation of sensitive processes.

With this launch, Slotegrator strengthens its role as an innovator in iGaming infrastructure, offering operators a new way to work with complex risk analytics faster, more clearly, and with greater confidence.


White Hat Studios enhances Hard Rock Bet Casino with a tailored 7s Fire Blitz Hotstepper release

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White Hat Studios enhances Hard Rock Bet Casino with a tailored 7s Fire Blitz Hotstepper release

White Hat Studios, the ‘House of Brands’ provider to the United States iGaming market, has strengthened its partnership with Hard Rock Bet Casino through the development of an exclusive and customised version of its award-winning title, 7s Fire Blitz Hotstepper.

The latest iteration of the iconic game series, Hard Rock Hotstepper, incorporates refreshed visuals and a rock-infused soundtrack that pays homage to the brand’s heritage.

By fusing a tried-and-tested game design with signature Hard Rock branding, White Hat Studios has delivered the operator an exclusive product tailored for broad appeal, leveraging brand familiarity to increase acquisition and deepen player engagement in the hyper-competitive US market.

Gameplay revolves around the Cash Collect mechanic and titular Hotstepper feature, which, when combined with the Fire Blitz bonus, provides a depth and dynamism to the action that has proven resonant with the US player base.

Armen Tatarevic, VP of Gaming at White Hat Studios, said: “Hard Rock is a household name in the global entertainment industry, and by harnessing its famous branding, we have developed a bold, dynamic product built on the proven successful 7s Fire Blitz foundations. A prominent operator in key US markets, Hard Rock Bet Casino is a valued partner, and we do not doubt that Hard Rock Hotstepper will be a hit with its customers.”

This latest release demonstrates White Hat Studios’ reputation for developing first-class bespoke games, with Hard Rock Hotstepper exemplifying its proficiency in crafting branded environments that place the operator at the heart of the experience.

Rich Criado, VP Casino at Hard Rock Digital, added: “Hard Rock Bet Casino is built around delivering premium entertainment with a player-first approach, and Hard Rock Hotstepper is a great example of that. White Hat Studios did an excellent job bringing Hard Rock’s energy and heritage into a game experience that feels distinctive, engaging, and truly exclusive to our players.”

Tabcorp sees 14.3% EBITDA rise in fiscal 1H26, benefiting from reformed Victorian License

Kelsey Wilhelm
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Tabcorp sees 14.3% EBITDA rise in fiscal 1H26, benefiting from reformed Victorian License

Tabcorp Holdings has announced a 14.3 percent yearly uptick in group EBITDA for fiscal 1H26, ending December 31st, as the company dials in on being “a more consistent company, with greater capability”.

According to results released on Wednesday, EBITDA hit AU$217.4 million ($154 million), despite revenue only rising by 1 percent yearly to AU$1.34 billion ($953.93 million). The racing and wagering group notes that the results reflect ‘the full benefit of the reformed Victorian Wagering and Betting License […] and the impact of below average wagering yields during the period’.

Tabcorp was awarded a 20-year wagering and betting license in December of 2023, which came into effect in August 2024.

The group’s Wagering and Media segment saw just a 0.8 percent rise in revenue during the six-month period, to AU$1.25 billion ($887.75 million) but segment EBITDA rose by 15.8 percent yearly to AU$181.4 million ($128.52 million).

The group highlighted that domestic wagering turnover increased by 0.3 percent, ‘reflecting modestly improved trading conditions over the half’ as domestic wagering revenue rose 1.1 percent yearly, benefitting from a full six months of the reformed Victorian License. Meanwhile international wagering revenue rose by 6.6 percent, ‘primarily due to the addition of new customers’.

The group’s Integrity Services segment saw a 4.1 percent rise in revenue in fiscal 1H26, to AU$91.7 million ($64.97 million), with EBITDA up by 7.5 percent yearly to AU$36 million ($25.51 million). The figures were driven by ‘increased project work, CPI-linked fee increases, and an increase in the number of monitored EGMs’.

Tabcorp announced a 1H26 unfranked interim dividend of AU$0.015 ($0.011) per share

Looking ahead, the group indicates that it expects ‘the wagering turnover environment in the second half of FY26 to be similar to the first half’.

It’s currently expected capex to be between AU$120 million ($85 million) and AU$140 million ($99.2 million), with an additional AU$5 million ($3.54 million) in opex for advertising and promotion investment for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The group also notes that it ‘will maintain its heightened focus on cost management in FY26 to partially offset inflationary pressures’.

Speaking of the 1H26 results, Tabcorp Managing Director and CEO Gillon McLachlan noted that “There’s greater depth in our business. I’m proud we’ve delivered double digit earnings growth in a half where wagering operators were impacted by a run of low yields during the Footy Finals and Spring Racing Carnival. We have been able to absorb this through strong execution by the team, particularly on the cost side, and through the diversity in our business”.

The executive furthered that “There’s more to do and we’re not where we want to be yet, but we have made significant progress in the first half, and we will remain relentless in executing on our strategy in the second half and beyond”.

QTech Games drives PunterClash’s casino rollout across Nigeria

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QTech Games drives PunterClash’s casino rollout across Nigeria

PunterClash, the emerging Nigerian platform blending skill‑based play with next‑generation sportsbook features, has formalized a strategic alliance with QTech Games to introduce its casino suite in the country.

The partnership forms part of PunterClash’s phased product roadmap, as the company officially launches in Nigeria. While PunterClash launches first with its core sportsbook and innovative OddScore contest format, the integration with QTech Games positions the company to introduce a curated casino offering in a later release phase.

Built around a fresh approach to sports engagement, PunterClash combines sports prediction, competition-driven mechanics, and responsible design principles to create a more interactive experience for fans. Through its agreement with QTech Games, the platform will gain access to a flexible, scalable casino aggregation solution that supports localisation, compliance, and controlled market expansion.

QTech Games drives PunterClash’s casino rollout across Nigeria

Richard Owoyemi, Managing Director at PunterClash, said: “Partnering with QTech Games is an important step in our long-term product strategy. Our immediate focus at launch is delivering a strong, reliable sportsbook and skill-based contest experience through OddScore. QTech strengthens our roadmap by giving us access to a world-class aggregation platform that we can introduce in a structured and responsible way as we scale. In a competitive market like Nigeria, differentiation comes from product quality and execution. This partnership supports our vision of building a sustainable platform with depth across multiple verticals over time.”

Ekaterina Mayorova, Head of Region for Africa at QTech Games, added: “We’re delighted to partner with PunterClash as they enter the Nigerian market. Their focus on innovation and long-term product thinking aligns well with how we support operators across emerging markets. Our aggregation platform gives partners the flexibility to introduce new gaming experiences at the right time and in the right way for their audience.”

The partnership reinforces PunterClash’s commitment to controlled growth, responsible gaming, and building a scalable platform tailored to Nigerian players.

Kiss AI Live Casino: Built on an AI‑first live gaming infrastructure

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Kiss AI Live Casino: Built on an AI‑first live gaming infrastructure

Kiss AI Live Casino reimagines live gaming with an AI‑driven system that swaps rigid studio builds for adaptable digital environments.

Kiss AI Live Casino includes a range of live casino titles featuring AI-generated dealers governed by artificial intelligence. Rather than relying on physical sets and pre-defined layouts, the system allows operators to define how each table is presented.

BetConstruct’s Vigen Badalyan launches Choice Gaming & KISS AI at Harmony Choice

Flexible Live Casino Setup

Each Kiss AI Live Casino game can be customized in several ways, including:
  • Dealer appearance and ethnicity
  • Hairstyle and facial features
  • Outfit and wardrobe styling
  • Studio environment and background
  • On-table branding and overall visual identity

In addition, the AI-powered dealers support 160+ languages, allowing operators to localize not only visuals but also spoken interaction.

Completely customizable, it can be implemented without altering the underlying table logic, enabling operators to deploy a single infrastructure across multiple brand identities, jurisdictions, and audience segments with maximum flexibility.

AI Engine-Human Approach

Dealers are generated and managed through AI systems, enabling scalable deployment without studio replication. Visual environments are digitally constructed and adjustable, allowing presentation changes without production downtime.

Kiss AI Live Casino functions as a live casino format where presentation is defined at system level rather than constrained by physical infrastructure.

Macau hotels post 94.8% occupancy in January, average rates down 3.8%

Viviana Chan
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Macau hotels post 94.8% occupancy in January, average rates down 3.8%

Macau’s hotel occupancy rate reached nearly 95 percent in January 2026, while average room prices declined year-on-year, according to data released by the Macau Hotel Association.

Information from associated members shows that overall occupancy stood at 94.8 percent in January, slightly higher than the 94.6 percent recorded in the same month of last year. 

Despite the marginal increase, the average room rate fell 3.8 percent year-on-year to MOP1,359.4 ($168.7), down from MOP1,413.6 ($175.4) in January 2025.

Five-star hotels reported an occupancy rate of 95.8 percent, up 0.8 percentage point year-on-year, while their average room rate declined 2.9 percent to MOP1,522.5 ($188.90).

Four-star hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 90.1 percent, down from 91.7 percent in January 2025, with average room rates falling 7.9 percent to MOP1,105.5 ($137.20).

Three-star hotels posted the highest occupancy among all categories at 97.7 percent, a 0.2 percentage point increase year-on-year. However, their average room rate saw the steepest decline, dropping 13.8 percent to MOP898.3 ($111.5).

The data, published in the association’s January 2026 monthly report, suggests that strong demand at the start of the year was accompanied by sustained pricing pressure across hotel segments. 

The downward trend in room rates also indicates a continued decline in per-capita visitor spending. At the same time, investment analysts have warned that limited hotel room supply is becoming an increasingly significant constraint on the industry’s long-term growth.

Genting Singapore earnings cut 13–14% on weak FY25 and delayed hotel impact

Viviana Chan
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Genting Singapore earnings cut 13–14% on weak FY25 and delayed hotel impact

According to a research note by analyst Samuel Yin Shao Yang, the company’s latest results ‘underwhelmed,’ leading to revised projections and a downgrade in outlook.

The Laurus Resorts World Sentosa
The Laurus Hotel

In a report published on February 25th, the analyst said he had cut Genting Singapore’s FY26 and FY27 earnings estimates by 14 percent and 13 percent, respectively, while introducing ‘flattish FY28E earnings,’ implying zero year-on-year growth in 2028.

The revisions were driven by weaker-than-expected VIP volume and mass market gaming revenue, as well as limited signs of near-term recovery.

‘We expected 4Q25 to be better,’ the report said, noting that the reopening of The Laurus Hotel ‘did not materialize’ into stronger results. The 183-suite luxury property, which was expected to attract more high-end and premium mass customers from October 2025, only fully opened shortly before the report was issued and had yet to contribute meaningfully to performance.

As a result, Maybank downgraded Genting Singapore to ‘Hold’ from ‘Buy.’

Financially, Genting Singapore reported core net profit of SG$61.5 million ($48.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing full-year core earnings to SG$423.3 million ($336.7 million). This represented about 85 percent of Maybank’s original full-year estimate. The shortfall was mainly attributed to lower VIP turnover, which declined about 15 percent quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter, and intensified competition from Marina Bay Sands.

Singapore’s casino sector operates as a duopoly between Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands.

Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA fell nearly 25 percent year-on-year and 24 percent quarter-on-quarter, partly due to lower VIP win rates and higher provisions for doubtful debts. For the full year, EBITDA declined 15 percent, while mass market gross gaming revenue eased 3 percent to around SG$1.5 billion ($1.19 billion).

Market sentiment was further dampened by the company’s silence regarding its ‘huge net cash pile’. Despite holding around SG$3.2 billion ($2.54 billion) in cash, Genting Singapore did not hint at a special dividend, even as its immediate holding company faces a $1.5 billion debt repayment in early 2027. While the final dividend of SG$0.02 per share was ‘within our expectations’, the lack of a special payout and continued loss of market share led the analyst to conclude that any future upside would need to be derived from ‘market share recovery’.

InnovaPlay and Xtremepush partner to strengthen player engagement across operators’ network

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InnovaPlay and Xtremepush partner to strengthen player engagement across operators’ network

InnovaPlay has strengthened its operator offering with a fully integrated CRM and engagement suite, delivered through its newly signed second partnership of the year with Xtremepush.

The collaboration enables brands using InnovaPlay to plan, launch, and measure campaigns across multiple channels, including mobile notifications, email, in-app, and SMS, from a single environment. 

The integration will enable operators to react more quickly to player behaviour, run more targeted campaigns without increasing the workload on internal teams, and enhance onboarding flows.

It is also expected to reduce the time it takes to reactivate inactive players and simplify the users’ rewarding process in a real-time manner, giving marketing and CRM teams a clearer view of how players move between channels, devices, and products over time.

Commenting on the partnership, Shaun Grech, Technical Director at InnovaPlay, said that the integration is a direct response to what operators have been asking for in recent months. “It makes it easier for our partners to reach the right players at the right moment, using the channels their audiences already rely on”.

Xtremepush’s Director of Partnerships, Robbie Sexton, highlighted the appeal of working with a platform that already collaborates with a broad range of operators in different regions. “This integration with InnovaPlay means less work and better results for more operators. Through this collaboration, operators can now use our category-leading CRM engine directly without resource-heavy development work, allowing them to design more relevant journeys for individual players in a unified manner”.

The two companies describe this partnership as the next step in a broader strategy to give operators tools that are ready to use but still adaptable to individual brand needs. Practical use cases are expected to include welcome series for new sign-ups, reminders for players who have been inactive for a set period, and tailored messages around key campaigns.

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