LISTED digital gaming company DigiPlus Interactive Corp. is exploring expansion opportunities at New Coast Hotel, including an omni-channel operation integrating online and onsite gaming, as it finalizes its planned acquisition.
鈥淸That means] that besides (what) we offer in the online space, we also want to convert them and offer more of the land-based entertainments. So, going through this process, we can increase the overall spending for our user as well as the retention. This will enhance our user engagement in the long term,鈥 President Andy Tsui said at a briefing last week.
He said the expansion plan draws from models used in other jurisdictions.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 a land-based adding the online, or the online adding the land-based, eventually we鈥檙e seeing a benefit of providing them an omnichannel ecosystem,鈥 Mr. Tsui said.
鈥淪o, we want to be a one-stop shop for them. So, instead of just focusing on the online, people may also choose to play land-based for their entertainment. We want to provide them a full ecosystem of digital as well as physical entertainments,鈥 he added.
Mr. Tsui said implementation will depend on the completion of the New Coast Hotel acquisition. He added that the proposed hotel expansion plans will require approval from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), which may take six to nine months.
鈥淪o, I would think that the earliest time will be next year,鈥 he said.
Last year, DigiPlus signed a convertible notes agreement that gives it the right to acquire a controlling stake in International Entertainment Corp. (IEC), which owns and operates New Coast Hotel Manila, an integrated hotel and casino complex.
The subscription for convertible notes totals HK$1.6 billion (around P12 billion) and will be issued in two tranches. The first tranche, worth HK$800 million, will be completed upon the satisfaction of customary conditions, while the second tranche will follow within three months, subject to mutually agreed terms.
Mr. Tsui said the New Coast Hotel acquisition is 鈥済oing as planned,鈥 with DigiPlus expecting to make the final convertible note payment to IEC by end-May or early June.
鈥淲e make the first payments of P6 billion in early March, and then the final payment will be made before the end of May or early June,鈥 he said.
Under the agreement, DigiPlus has the option to convert the notes into shares to acquire about 53.89% of IEC鈥檚 issued capital stock at an agreed initial conversion price of HK$1 per share, with a 3% annual interest rate. If DigiPlus does not convert, the notes will be redeemable at 108% after five years.
IEC owns and operates New Coast Hotel Manila, previously known as New World Hotel Manila, with 96 gaming tables, 495 slot machines, and other gaming amenities as of November 2025. 鈥 Alexandria Grace C. Magno
