DigiPlus Interactive Corp, a prominent Philippines gaming and technology investor, has clarified it has no immediate intentions of developing its property on Boracay Island into an integrated casino resort. This announcement follows the revelation from former partner, Galaxy Entertainment Group of Macau, denying plans to revisit the previously proposed resort project.
The two corporations had initially proposed in 2018 a joint project to develop a $550 million integrated resort on Boracay Island. Despite receiving a provisional license from PAGCOR, these plans were halted by a moratorium placed by then-president, Rodrigo Duterte. The prohibition on new casino developments on the island was eventually lifted in August 2021.
DigiPlus referenced its founder and current Bacolod City Mayor, Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, who had previously advocated for the resurrection of the development. The company stated that Benitez, who had resigned from the DigiPlus Board of Directors in 2021, no longer represents or speaks for the company.
An official statement from DigiPlus elaborated on its future prospects, reading, “DigiPlus has no immediate plans to pursue the development of its 24-hectare property in Boracay Island into an integrated casino project. DigiPlus will remain focused on executing its strategic transformation agenda and establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing, most innovative, and technologically developed digital entertainment groups in the Philippines.”
DigiPlus plans to expand its digital entertainment segment, which has evolved into its core business since 2022. Additionally, the company aims to scale up its flagship digital platforms, BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, while launching innovative digital entertainment offerings in the coming months.
This comes in the wake of a statement from Galaxy Entertainment indicating that it is “not considering re-entering Boracay of Philippines to develop a resort,” with its attention instead dedicated to the full reopening of Macau, its recently launched Phase 3, and the construction of Phase 4.
