DigiPlus does the samba

Business tycoon Willy Ocier is pulling out all the stops with DigiPlus Interactive Corp., which through its wholly-owned subsidiary DigiPlus Brazil Interactive Ltda., has received the green light to enter the rapidly expanding Brazilian iGaming sector. Ocier has lately invested P200 million in DigiPlus Interactive.

DigiPlus secured a federal license to operate sports betting and other online games in Brazil. DigiPlus is among only 10 percent of applicants granted a Definitive Authority by the Secretariat of Awards and Bets.

DigiPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco said the maiden international venture aligns with the company’s global expansion goals.

“Brazil’s dynamic gaming landscape presents a pivotal milestone in DigiPlus’ global journey. We are bringing not just our innovative platforms and diverse gaming portfolio but also our unwavering support commitment to responsible gaming,” Tanco said.

“By combining our proven platforms with localized insights, we are confident of our ability to resonate with Brazilian players and contribute to the country’s thriving iGaming sector,” he added.

With a population of over 200 million and a strong enthusiasm for sports betting, DigiPlus views Brazil as a significant growth opportunity.

Despite its pursuit of portfolio diversification in new markets with favorable iGaming regulatory environments, DigiPlus affirmed that the Philippines remains its primary focus.

The company, which operates digital entertainment platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, reported a 314-percent surge in net income, topping P8.75 billion in the first nine months of 2024.

DigiPlus attributed its robust performance to strong growth in its retail games segment, new product launches, and improved cost efficiencies.

CREIT readies for RE surge

Citicore Energy Real Estate Investment Trust (CREIT), which is into the development of properties for renewable energy (RE) projects and is the first of its kind in the country, recently revised its investment strategy to prepare for a surge in energy projects.

The company’s principal investment strategy is to invest in income-generating real estate properties in its aim to become the largest RE landlord in the Philippines.

CREIT said it revised its investment criteria and removed the requirement of achieving “successful plant testing and commissioning, with stable offtake contracts for 100 percent of a power plant’s expected generation output.”

The removal of the criteria is expected to expand investments that can be folded into CREIT.

The investment criteria now reads: “A prospective property must primarily (but not exclusively) be a site suitable for solar power plants, but may include other renewable energy properties available in the market; and be located in underdeveloped areas where the company has completed and validated the availability of resources and the potential of such area for future township developments to drive long-term appreciating land value.”

With the eased benchmarks, CREIT expects to generate income earlier as RE properties can now be leased out to solar plant developers even during the construction stage, thereby providing an earlier income stream.

Upon successful plant testing, the commissioning and securing of offtake contracts, CREIT will still have an option to purchase the power plant and lease it out to the plant operator.