Asia

Philippines Continues Chasing POGOs Despite Reports of Closures

Published

6 years ago

July 3, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Philippine government has said that it will not be easing up on its pursuit of outstanding taxes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) despite revelations that some of them had shut down and left the country.

As per reports, two licensed POGO operators and several service providers have closed operations due to stringent tax rules imposed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and statements from gaming regulator PAGCOR that no POGO would be allowed to resume post-COVID until all liabilities were paid.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo named Suncity Group and Don Tencess Asian Solutions as the two POGOs to have left, although Suncity denied this was the case when contacted by Inside Asian Gaming.

“Suncity Group spares no effort to develop itself as a global integrated VIP entertainment conglomerate. The junket business in Manila is definitely important to us and we can’t find any reason to leave Manila at this particular moment,” the company said.

“In regards to the comment provided by Mdm Andrea Domingo, we think she is referring to telebetting services, which has nothing to do with the junket business that Suncity Group operates in Manila. We will continue to develop our VIP entertainment business in licensed gaming operators in Manila, and provide seamless VIP services to our guests,” Suncity said.

Nevertheless, the authorities insisted that they will continue to crack down on POGOs.

“I think Secretary Dominguez will not budge from the position that they need to pay all their taxes, including the franchise tax,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, referencing Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

“Now, although the President has said we need all the resources, all the revenues that we can derive from all, including POGO operations to fund Covid-19 response of the government, I think the bottom line is they have to settle their tax obligations,” Harry Roque said.

Asia

PG Soft signs on as sponsor for SiGMA Asia 2026 in Manila

Published

9 hours ago

May 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

pg-soft-signs-on-as-sponsor-for-sigma-asia-2026-in-manila

PG Soft has been named as a sponsor of SiGMA Asia 2026, set to take place at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

According to the company, the sponsorship package includes branding in the venue lobby and a 60-second branded video broadcast inside the exhibition hall across 14 hanging HD screens during the two-day expo.

PG Soft said the commercial partnership is part of its focus on engaging with Asian markets and supporting SiGMA’s networking aims for the global iGaming community.

A PG Soft spokesperson said: “SiGMA Asia is a must-attend event on the iGaming calendar, and Manila is one of the most exciting markets in the region. We’re very pleased to be supporting this summit and look forward to presenting our brand to the influential audience that SiGMA Asia continues to attract.”

The post PG Soft signs on as sponsor for SiGMA Asia 2026 in Manila appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Altenar

Philippine Sportsbook ArenaPlus Selects Altenar as Technology Provider

Published

1 day ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

philippine-sportsbook-arenaplus-selects-altenar-as-technology-provider

Altenar has entered the Philippines’ regulated sports betting market after being selected to power ArenaPlus, the flagship sportsbook platform of DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines.

As part of the agreement, ArenaPlus is transitioning its sportsbook operations to Altenar’s advanced, fully-managed sportsbook solution. The platform includes customised betting options for enhanced localisation, fast in-play and live betting, advanced risk management, and compliance controls designed to support a mobile-first market.

Altenar’s in-house statistical model and automated pricing tools ensure a comprehensive player props portfolio on Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games, alongside faster odds updates, enabling ArenaPlus to further enhance its sports betting experience for users.

The deal further strengthens Altenar’s position as a trusted sportsbook technology provider in regulated markets worldwide, delivering high-performance and adaptable solutions that support operators’ long-term growth. By combining innovation with operational excellence, Altenar is setting the bar for reliability and growth across Asia.

Dinos Stranomitis, COO at Altenar said: “Partnering with DigiPlus to power ArenaPlus marks a key step in our entry into the Philippines, a highly engaged and rapidly growing regulated market. Our fully managed, localised sportsbook delivers the performance, stability, and compliance required in this market.

“This agreement reinforces our ability to support ambitious operators and establishes a solid foundation for long-term growth.”

Erick Su, Head of ArenaPlus, added: “Altenar provides the technical strength and reliability needed to elevate the ArenaPlus sportsbook experience. Their fully-managed solution aligns with our strategy for continued growth in the Philippines, particularly amid the rising demand for live and in-play sports betting.

“With Altenar’s technology in place, we can continue enhancing the player experience while building a partnership focused on long-term and sustainable growth.”

The post Philippine Sportsbook ArenaPlus Selects Altenar as Technology Provider appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

PhilWeb Announces the Official Commercial Launch of OKADA PLAY

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

philweb-announces-the-official-commercial-launch-of-okada-play

PhilWeb Corporation announced the official commercial launch of the OKADA PLAY online gaming platform. This launch successfully operationalizes the strategic partnership with Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc., operator of the premium integrated resort Okada Manila.

Powered by PhilWeb’s comprehensive Online Gaming Platform (OGP) solution, OKADA PLAY integrates a full suite of gaming content, scalable platform technology, and robust customer service infrastructure. The platform is delivered within a strictly regulated framework, ensuring compliant and efficient participation in the Philippine digital gaming ecosystem.

The commercial rollout of OKADA PLAY marks a critical milestone in Okada Manila’s broader digital transformation strategy. By successfully converging its land-based luxury gaming experience with digital channels, the initiative is designed to drive omnichannel customer engagement and unlock new, scalable revenue streams beyond the physical property.

“The official launch of OKADA PLAY demonstrates our capability to execute and deploy end-to-end digital infrastructure for the industry’s most recognized luxury brands. We are proud to provide the robust, scalable platform that enables Tiger Resort to extend the premium Okada Manila experience to a growing nationwide audience of digital players,” said Mr. Brian Ng, President of PhilWeb Corporation.

“This launch marks an important step in Okada Manila’s digital expansion as we bring our gaming experience to a wider audience across the Philippines through OKADA PLAY. OKADA PLAY complements our land-based operations and our existing online platform, while PhilWeb’s technology and operational expertise help us deliver a trusted online gaming experience associated with the Okada Manila brand,” said Mr. Nobuki Sato, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila.

This milestone further solidifies PhilWeb’s track record of deploying integrated technology platform and content solutions for leading regulated operators in the Philippine market, reinforcing the Company’s strategic position at the centre of the industry’s digital evolution.

The post PhilWeb Announces the Official Commercial Launch of OKADA PLAY appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.