Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment Corp says it is in talks over a “third party online gaming operator” possibly offering such services in the Philippines, according to a Friday filing.
International Entertainment controls the New Coast Hotel Manila (pictured in a file photo). The complex has a provisional casino gaming licence from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor). The group has recently been using the brand “LaVie Resort & Casino Manila” to identify the complex.
In February, International Entertainment said it planned a “grand reopening” of the property in July.
In its Friday update, the firm said: “Following the operation of the group’s casino in the Philippines, in February 2025, NCLI [New Coast Leisure Inc] was granted an electronic (e-Casino) games operator licence… within the jurisdiction of the Philippines”.
The group added that since then, it had “carried out different kinds of feasibility studies on online gaming”.
The filing noted that International Entertainment is “now in the course of negotiation with a potential operator of online gaming, “ but added “as at the date of this announcement, no binding memorandum of understanding or agreement has been signed”.
The update added that International Entertainment had commissioned a “reputable international audit firm, to review whether… internal control measures implemented in relation to the potential online gaming operations and anti-money laundering matters are adequate and effective.”
International Entertainment further stated: “The group is still in the process of negotiation with the third party online gaming operator,” and obtaining a “legal opinion” and an “internal control review”.
International Entertainment has pledged to invest at least US$1 billion to redevelop the property as an integrated resort, under the terms of its licence with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).
A number of land-based casino operators in the Philippines has recently announced either plans for, or launch of, online gaming.
International Entertainment has a HKD1.60-billion (US$204.3-million) convertible note agreement with Phililppines-listed online gaming specialist DigiPlus Interactive Corp, which – if fully converted – would result in DigiPlus holding a 53.89-percent stake in International Entertainment.
Earlier this month, International Entertainment said it had used part of the net proceeds from a first tranche of subscription notes to which DigiPlus subscribed – amounting to HKD800.0 million – to repay outstanding liabilities, in line with plans disclosed earlier.
