Good Morning. There are many ways to skin a cat (who knows how that expression was invented). In the case of the Philippines, rather than outright banning the online gaming sector it’s aiming to cut off the blood flow to its operations. The most recent move is a mandate for e-wallets to cut out all gambling links, aiming to hinder access and deter its citizens from engaging in vice. But some operators are forging through the political storm, with giant DigiPlus still securing nearly $150 million in profit for the first half-year, proving how much potential the sector holds, if allowed to continue.
What you need to know
- Philippine Central Bank orders e-wallets to cut gambling links in 48h; industry alliance urges keeping them as enforcement tools.
- DigiPlus posts $147M profit in 1H25, up 61% YoY, as new games and licenses drive growth despite Philippine gambling reforms.
On the radar
- Mohegan cites lingering financial exposures, despite INSPIRE exit.
- Universal Entertainment completes share transfer of Asiabest Group.
- Newport World Resorts operator posts 21% QoQ EBITDA growth.
- Sri Lanka to establish Gambling Regulatory Authority.
- Indian authorities go after ‘illegal’ online operator Parimatch.
- China pushes for political stability in Cambodia’s spat with Thailand.
AGB Intelligence
PHILIPPINES
Central Bank: e-wallets must cut gambling links
Despite hopes for harsher measures from the Philippine Senate, the nation’s central bank has given e-wallet operators a 48 hour grace period to disconnect from online gambling sites. This comes amongst a call for a total ban on the online gaming sector, as new data on illegal online gambling sites in the country, including e-sabong, surfaced. But legal operators are banding together to justify the value in a regulated, legal sector, hoping for some reprieve rather than an outright blanket ban on operations.
Corporate Spotlight
Why Asia’s iGaming operators must rethink risk strategy | SEON
Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.
Industry Updates
- Soft2Bet’s MEGA shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year.
- SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator breaks the 35,000-game mark.
