Philippines gaming technology firm DigiPlus Interactive Corp has announced plans to further expand internationally by entering the South African online sports betting market.
The company said in a Friday statement that it would file license applications with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) for three licenses: a National Manufacturer License, Bookmaker License and Bookmaker Premises License. Key employee licenses will also be secured to support operational leadership, it added.
The licensing process, expected to take around six months, will include intensive probity checks for both the company and its ultimate beneficial owners – after which time DigiPlus Interactive’s applications will be submitted for Board review and final platform testing.
“We are thrilled to take this next bold step in our international journey,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco. “South Africa is not just the largest online gaming market in Africa, it’s a gateway to the continent’s digital future. As we expand from Southeast Asia to Latin America and now Africa, we remain committed to responsible innovation, local compliance, and developing products that connect deeply with culture and community.”
The move into South Africa follows the recent acquisition of an iGaming license in Brazil. According to DigiPlus, the company is well positioned to enter what it describes as Africa’s most mature and rapidly growing online gambling market, where digital sports betting already accounts for nearly half of total gaming revenues.
The South African online betting industry was valued at over US$1.6 billion in 2023 and 2024, it explained, driven by rising mobile use, a digitally engaged population and robust demand for live sports betting.
DigiPlus Interactive’s international expansion moves come with the company experiencing challenges on the home front, with shares having plummeted by more than 70% from their peak amid uncertainty around a push from some political circles to ban the Philippines’ domestic online gaming industry altogether. A series of key regulatory restrictions have already been imposed on the industry in recent weeks.
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