DigiPlus Linked To Diamond Hotel In Manila Bay

DigiPlus Interactive Corp says it is reviewing new growth options after a report linked the Philippine online gaming group to a possible hotel deal at Manila Bay.

Good to Know

• InsiderPH reported that DigiPlus is in talks to buy the 480-room Diamond Hotel.
• DigiPlus said no definitive transaction has been made.
• The group already has a convertible note deal tied to New Coast Hotel Manila.

DigiPlus Keeps Manila Bay Plans Open

DigiPlus has not confirmed a Diamond Hotel deal, but it has acknowledged that it is studying opportunities tied to gaming and digital entertainment.

The company responded after InsiderPH reported that DigiPlus was in talks to buy the seafront Diamond Hotel near Roxas Boulevard. The outlet said the property forms part of the private portfolio of Ramon Ang, chairman of San Miguel Corp, and could sit inside a wider US$1 billion Manila Bay gaming complex plan.

DigiPlus said in a Philippine Stock Exchange filing:

“We confirm that DigiPlus is exploring opportunities to expand into adjacent and complementary segments, aligned with its long-term strategy to develop a robust gaming and digital entertainment ecosystem.

“However, these plans remain under evaluation, and no definitive transactions have been made.”

The report comes as DigiPlus already has another Manila hotel link. The group signed a HKD1.60 billion, or US$204.3 million, convertible note agreement with International Entertainment Corp, the Hong Kong-listed company that controls New Coast Hotel Manila. Full conversion would give DigiPlus a 53.89% stake in International Entertainment.

New Coast Hotel Manila sits around five minutes inland from Diamond Hotel and holds a provisional casino gaming licence from Pagcor. International Entertainment has recently used the LaVie Resort & Casino Manila brand for the property.

DigiPlus, chaired by Eusebio Tanco, is best known in the Philippines for BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone. It also operates casino slot arcades through another group unit.

The company has also added overseas licensing, with online gaming approval in Brazil and South Africa. A Manila Bay resort plan would place DigiPlus closer to the land-based casino market, though any deal remains unconfirmed for now.