PH Resorts Holdings Group Inc. has officially derecognized a PHP 8.75 billion (~US$153.5 million) financial liability tied to the Emerald Bay development in Mactan, Cebu, Philippines. This move is disclosed in the company's second-quarter earnings filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.
On August 15, 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a sweeping directive requiring all e-wallet providers and other BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) to remove in-app links and icons redirecting users to online gambling platforms within 48 hours.
In the first half of 2025, DigiPlus Interactive Corp.—Philippines’ foremost digital gaming company behind platforms like BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone—delivered outstanding financial results. Net income surged by an impressive 61 percent year-on-year, reaching ₱8.4 billion, as reported by multiple Philippine business outlets. Revenues climbed 47 percent to ₱47.78 billion, underpinned by strong performance in retail gaming, the rollout of new products, and enhanced operational efficiency.
In a noteworthy shift, economic experts in Vietnam have publicly endorsed the government’s draft decree that proposes relaxing the current restrictions on local citizens’ access to casinos. As reported in the Inside Asian Gaming, these economists argue that broadening domestic casino access isn’t just a matter of easing policy—it’s a strategic necessity to retain gambling revenues within the country and strengthen regulatory oversight over what has traditionally been an opaque, largely offshore activity.
In the second quarter of 2025, Newport World Resorts (NWR)—operated by Travellers International Hotel Group under Alliance Global Group (AGI)—delivered a remarkable financial rebound. Riding on robust growth in the mass gaming segment and diligent cost management, NWR’s EBITDA rose sharply by 21% quarter-on-quarter, reaching PHP 2.5 billion (approximately US$44.1 million). This impressive quarterly leap also contributed to a healthier half-year performance, with 1H25 EBITDA posting an 11% year-on-year gain to PHP 4.5 billion (US$79.4 million).
Author: Janice Chew • Friday, 15/08/2025
