International Entertainment Expands Into Philippine Online Gaming Through Partnership With DigiPlus Subsidiary TGXI

Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment Corporation (IEC) is moving into the Philippine online gaming sector after one of its subsidiaries entered into a cooperation agreement with Total Gamezone Xtreme Incorporated (TGXI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Philippine gaming operator DigiPlus Interactive Corp.

According to a filing submitted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, New Coast Leisure Inc. (NCLI), an indirect subsidiary of IEC and the operator of LaVie Resort & Casino Manila, signed the agreement with TGXI on June 9 following the close of trading.

Under the arrangement, the two companies will work together on a non-exclusive basis in the integration, aggregation, provision, technical support, and operation of approved online games and related gaming content through an online gaming platform linked to the Manila-based casino property. The partnership remains subject to approval by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

The agreement builds on IEC’s announcement on April 17 regarding its plans to launch online gaming operations and further strengthens its relationship with DigiPlus. The Philippine gaming company currently holds convertible bonds issued by IEC with a principal value of HK$1.6 billion (US$205 million). If fully converted, the bonds would provide DigiPlus with a controlling 53.89% stake in IEC.

As part of the agreement, NCLI will retain responsibility for maintaining its PAGCOR licenses, fulfilling all regulatory reporting and compliance requirements, monitoring and auditing daily gaming operations, and conducting internal reviews.

TGXI, which was described in the filing as an experienced online gaming operator, will supply the gaming software platform, game aggregation services, gaming content certified by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) or another PAGCOR-recognized testing laboratory, technical support services, and operational data to assist NCLI in meeting its regulatory obligations.

The initial term of the cooperation agreement is two years. Thereafter, it will automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party provides at least 30 days’ written notice of its intention not to renew. The filing did not specify a fixed revenue-sharing arrangement, stating instead that revenue, fees, and commissions will be allocated according to the “actual undertaking and contributions of the parties.”

NCLI secured several online gaming-related approvals in 2025, including an Electronic (e-Casino) Games Operator license, accreditation as a Gaming System Administrator for PAGCOR-licensed electronic gaming venues, and accreditation as a Game Content Provider. IEC’s board stated that the partnership would allow the company to make use of these licenses while leveraging TGXI’s existing online gaming infrastructure and expertise.

“The structure allows the Group to capitalize on TGXI’s established Online Gaming infrastructure, significantly reducing the time and resources required to build a platform from the ground up,” the company said in the filing.

It added that the arrangement means the group “is positioned to enter the Online Gaming industry efficiently, compliantly, and competitively.”

In explaining the rationale behind the move, IEC’s board highlighted the strong growth trajectory of the Philippine online gaming industry. It cited projections from market research firm IMARC Group, which forecasts that the country’s gaming market will reach US$9.87 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.29% between 2025 and 2033.

The company also pointed to regulatory reforms introduced by PAGCOR in early 2025 that reduced licensing fees for gaming operators. Under those changes, licensing fees were lowered from 55% to 30% for land-based gaming operators and to 25% for integrated resort operators.

The filing further noted that the planned online gaming platform will implement internet protocol (IP) blocking technology to prevent access from outside the Philippines. As a result, player registrations and wagers originating from non-Philippine locations will not be accepted.

Based on these safeguards, IEC’s legal adviser in Hong Kong concluded that the operation would not violate Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance.

By fLEXI tEAM