In the second quarter of 2025, Newport World Resorts (NWR)—operated by Travellers International Hotel Group under Alliance Global Group (AGI)—delivered a remarkable financial rebound. Riding on robust growth in the mass gaming segment and diligent cost management, NWR’s EBITDA rose sharply by 21% quarter-on-quarter, reaching PHP 2.5 billion (approximately US$44.1 million). This impressive quarterly leap also contributed to a healthier half-year performance, with 1H25 EBITDA posting an 11% year-on-year gain to PHP 4.5 billion (US$79.4 million).
On August 14, 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) delivered a firm ultimatum to electronic wallet providers: remove all icons and links directing users to online gambling platforms within 48 hours. This directive was formalized during a Senate hearing, where BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan confirmed that the Monetary Board had approved the move to “take down and remove all icons and links redirecting to gambling sites”. The deadline gives providers until Sunday, August 17, 2025, to comply—failure to do so could result in contempt actions from the committee, as warned by Senator Erwin Tulfo.
Australian wagering giant Tabcorp has taken a groundbreaking step in the sports betting industry by launching a multilingual upgrade to its TAB App, marking the first time in Australia that betting content is available in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese alongside English. This move reflects Tabcorp's commitment to inclusivity amid a growing customer base whose first language may not be English—a trend especially evident given the popularity of wagering across Asia.
Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, the operator behind Solaire, reported a net loss of PHP 1.4 billion in the second quarter ended June 30, 2025—a marked downturn from the PHP 1.3 billion profit registered in the same period last year. The decline was attributed to persistent softness in the VIP and premium mass gaming segments, along with elevated costs tied to its newly launched domestic online gaming platform, MegaFUNalo!.
In a decisive move to bolster integrity in public service, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2025‑082, imposing an immediate ban on all forms of online gambling for its personnel and local government officials (LGUs), citing serious ethical concerns. The directive, aligned with the 1987 Constitution and the Code of Conduct for public officials, extends the existing prohibition on brick-and-mortar casinos to online platforms, recognizing that their accessibility can pose an even greater threat to institutional credibility (DILG statement).
Author: Janice Chew • Thursday, 14/08/2025
