DigiPlus revenue growth slows to 12% amid tighter gambling rules
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. reported full-year profit remained largely unchanged as the mid-year regulatory crackdown on digital gambling platforms offset the robust start to 2025.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Philippines’ largest online gaming operator reported net income of ₱12.6 billion for the year, nearly identical to its 2024 performance.
While total revenue for the period climbed 12 percent to ₱84.2 billion, the gains were primarily front-loaded in the first half of the year. The growth slowed significantly after the third quarter, when the government mandated the “delinking” of licensed gaming platforms from e-wallet applications, a move intended to tighten oversight on digital betting.
The regulatory shift hit the bottom line toward the end of the year. Fourth-quarter net income tumbled 36 percent to ₱2.5 billion from ₱3.8 billion a year earlier, while revenue for the same period dropped 27 percent to ₱17.3 billion.
On a sequential basis, fourth-quarter revenue fell nine percent, reflecting the full weight of the government's restrictions on how users access and fund their accounts through mobile wallets.
Despite the headwinds, Eusebio Tanco, Digiplus chairman, said the performance was “resilient,” citing the company’s ability to maintain user trust and innovate responsibly.
Tanco’s optimism is supported by a modest two percent rise in full-year earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda), which reached ₱14.2 billion.
The company also highlighted an internal turnaround late in the year. Though year-on-year figures slumped, fourth-quarter net income surged 43 percent from the third quarter of 2025, while Ebitda jumped 52 percent.
DigiPlus attributed this recovery to aggressive cost-cutting and a "recalibration" of its operations to adapt to the new digital landscape.
A strong balance sheet provided a cushion for shareholders. DigiPlus ended 2025 with ₱23.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents, while maintaining a lean debt profile of just ₱745.8 million. This liquidity allowed the board to approve a ₱3.8 billion cash dividend, or 30 percent of its full-year attributable net income. The payout of ₱0.83 per share is scheduled for April 15 to shareholders of record as of April 1.