DigiPlus Interactive Corp, a dominant player in the Philippine digital gaming space, has confirmed its interest in acquiring the Manila Diamond Hotel from billionaire Ramon S. Ang.
In a recent disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the company revealed it is evaluating the purchase of the Roxas Boulevard property as part of a strategy to build a fully integrated “omni-channel” gaming system.
Strategic Vision: The Integrated Resort Model
The Manila Diamond Hotel is situated directly adjacent to the New Coast Hotel Manila, another property DigiPlus is currently in the process of acquiring. By combining these land-based assets with its existing digital platforms, DigiPlus aims to improve player retention and increase average user spend.
DigiPlus President Andy Tsui has articulated a vision to transform the company into a powerhouse that connects online interfaces with onsite physical operations—a model that has seen significant success in international markets.
However, the speed of this acquisition depends on a few key factors:
- New Coast Transaction: DigiPlus expects to finalize a ₱6 billion payment for convertible notes by early June, securing a 54% controlling share in the hotel company.
- Regulatory Reviews: The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) must conduct an antitrust review, which typically takes between 6 and 9 months.
- Hong Kong Compliance: The firm has already secured a whitewash waiver from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, exempting them from a mandatory general offer to minority stockholders.
A Future-Focused Strategy
DigiPlus stated that this expansion is part of a broader plan to develop a system where gaming and digital entertainment products are entirely complementary. While the tycoon Ramon S. Ang, CEO of San Miguel Corporation, has yet to comment on the potential sale, DigiPlus is moving forward with its exploratory phase.
The company does not expect full integration of these land-based operations in the near term but remains committed to merging its technological expertise with premier hotel real estate to create a unified user experience.
