Asia
Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao

On Jan. 14, 2025, Sands China Ltd., Alipay and Macau Pass jointly introduced the Alipay Tap! service at Sands Resorts Macao. Utilising innovative payment interaction technology, the service will further enhance the payment experience of visitors in Macao and enable new digital business and marketing opportunities. It will also contribute to the city’s smart city development while supporting digital upgrades and connectivity within the Greater Bay Area.
Alipay Tap! is an innovative payment service introduced by Alipay in July 2024 in the Chinese mainland. Users can simply unlock their phones and tap the merchant’s payment device to complete the transaction, without opening the Alipay app. This solution has quickly become popular with both users and merchants and is currently available in over 100 cities and more than 1000 shopping malls and commercial districts in the Chinese mainland. In addition to payments, Alipay has also collaborated with partners to create over 50 Alipay Tap! digital industry solutions, such as “Tap to Order” and “Tap to Open Self-service Vending Machine”.
In this first phase, Sands China has rolled out Alipay Tap! across 300 merchants in its integrated resorts, including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner Macao and Sands Macao. It can be used for a variety of payments, such as hotel accommodation, dining, shopping and ticketing, providing customers with a convenient payment experience. Chinese mainland tourists using Alipay Tap! in Sands Resorts Macao can also enjoy multiple offers during the promotional period, including an exclusive coupon for the first transaction via Alipay Tap! in Macao and other cross-border travel promotions released.
Merchants can use one terminal to meet the payment needs of both tourists and local residents using mainstream e-wallets. A representative from a Sands Resorts Macao merchant shared, “As Chinese mainland tourists are generally familiar with Alipay Tap!, combined with various recent promotional offers, the number of Alipay Tap! transactions has significantly increased since its launch, greatly enhancing operational efficiency”.
Jiajia Li, Vice President of Alipay, Ant Group, said: “Macao has unique geographic advantages, providing an ideal environment for the introduction of innovative technologies. Alipay and Alipay+’s cross-border services have already covered nearly 90% of merchants in Macao. The successful introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao will further enhance the convenience of payments for Chinese mainland visitors, accelerate the digital transformation of businesses, unlock more commercial potential, and promote the digital connectivity of digital everyday services within the Greater Bay Area.”
The introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao is not just a simple replication of the payment model but also creates a local digital business model benchmark. The collaboration between the three companies integrates Alipay’s user experience and membership preferences, Sands China’s unique services and benefits, and Macau Pass’s regional coverage and operational expertise. Together, they have created a new digital business model.
The post Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
DigiPlus Secures Three Prestigious Wins at the 2024 World Business Outlook Awards

DigiPlus Interactive, the company behind leading digital entertainment brands BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, has won three awards at the World Business Outlook Awards 2024. DigiPlus was awarded “Excellence in Technological Advancement and Integration,” “Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Practices” and “Best in Corporate Governance and Ethical Practices.”
The award for Excellence in Technological Advancement and Integration highlights DigiPlus’ transformative efforts in delivering world-class entertainment experiences while preserving cultural heritage.
DigiPlus’ commitment to ethical leadership earned it the Best in Corporate Governance and Ethical Practices award, as it upholds the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity – principles embedded deeply into the company’s governance frameworks and operations.
The Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Practices award underscores DigiPlus’ dedication to creating lasting impact through the BingoPlus Foundation, which operates with a ₱100 million commitment for CSR this year. Key projects include giving scholarships and robotics kits for youth, providing healthcare support for underserved communities and establishing PLUS centres for livelihood and healthcare.
“These awards serve as inspiration for us to keep raising the bar. At DigiPlus, we believe that innovation goes hand-in-hand with responsibility. We are driven to create platforms and experiences that not only entertain but also uplift communities and reinforce trust among our stakeholders,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco.
The post DigiPlus Secures Three Prestigious Wins at the 2024 World Business Outlook Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
PAGCOR, SMC BREAK GROUND FOR NEW PAGCOR CORPORATE CENTER

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) today broke ground for the state gaming firm’s new corporate office building at the Bagong Nayong Pilipino complex in Pasay City.
The PAGCOR Corporate Center – valued at Php2.45 billion – will be fully financed and constructed by SMC at no cost to PAGCOR, said Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco who led the project’s groundbreaking with SMC Chairman Ramon Ang.
During the simple ceremony, Mr. Tengco noted that for over four decades, PAGCOR has operated from various rented spaces under less-than-ideal conditions, with its workforce dispersed across multiple locations.
“Ang araw na ito ay katuparan ng isang pangarap para sa PAGCOR na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan,” he said. “We are truly blessed to witness this historic moment as we lay the groundwork for a vision that reflects our identity, core values and aspirations as an organization.”
The corporate center will have a floor area of 40,000 square meters, with an additional 15,000 square meters designated for comprehensive fit-out.
“Since PAGCOR will not occupy all 40,000 square meters, we plan to lease some of the commercial spaces to generate rental income,” Chairman Tengco said. “These rental earnings should be enough to cover the building’s maintenance costs.”
Mr. Tengco said the agency’s collaboration with SMC exemplifies how private-public partnerships can maximize the potential of government assets to create more economic opportunities.
“The Nayong Pilipino complex, once known for its rich attractions, culture and history, had long lain dormant,” Mr. Tengco said. “Today, it is set to be transformed into a vibrant symbol of progress and opportunity for PAGCOR.”
For his part, SMC Chairman Ramon Ang said the construction of the PAGCOR Corporate Center represents a mutually beneficial partnership between the state gaming firm and the conglomerate.
“This is a mutually beneficial partnership between PAGCOR and SMC,” he said. “While SMC will construct the Corporate Center, we will also use PAGCOR’s Nayong Pilipino property to build infrastructure that will complement airport requirements.”
The PAGCOR Corporate Center was designed by JSLA architectural design firm and will be built by New Golden City Builders. Both companies are known for big-ticket infrastructure projects in the country.
“SMC only commissioned the best architects and construction firms to ensure the project’s completion by 2028,” Mr. Ang added.
The construction of PAGCOR’s Corporate Center is part of the 25-year lease agreement entered into by the state gaming agency with SMC last December 12, 2024.
Aside from funding the building construction, SMC will pay monthly rental fees – with an annual escalation – for the use of PAGCOR’s 13-hectare Nayong Pilipino property for aviation-related projects.
The post PAGCOR, SMC BREAK GROUND FOR NEW PAGCOR CORPORATE CENTER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
PAGCOR INAUGURATES TWO SOCIO-CIVIC CENTERS IN DAVAO DE ORO

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently inaugurated two socio-civic centers in the mountainside towns of Maragusan and New Bataan that are frequently hit by natural disasters.
The new facilities, built with Php50 million funding each from PAGCOR, will serve as safe shelters during emergencies as well as venues for various socio-economic activities of the communities.
Maragusan, situated nearly four hours from Davao City and home to approximately 65,000 residents, is among the most prone to landslides. For years, residents take shelter in public schools during calamities, often disrupting classes.
“This facility is a significant help to the locals who need to evacuate their homes during disaster situations,” said former Maragusan Mayor Maricel Vendiola, who spearheaded the project in 2022.
“Classes in public schools will no longer be interrupted; at the same time, this structure will serve as a venue for promoting our local government’s projects and activities,” she added.
Maragusan’s incumbent Mayor Angelito Cabalquinto echoed Vendiola’s views and emphasized the facility’s potential to host activities that will contribute to the town’s economic growth.
“I am very excited to utilize this facility for our economic and livelihood programs. This will also help our local government generate additional revenues for our operations,” Cabalquinto said.
For the people of New Bataan, which is also prone to heavy flooding and landslides, the newly inaugurated facility is a realization of a life-long dream, according to Mayor Geraldford Balbin.
“For years, we have dreamt of having a sturdy and comfortable building to serve as temporary shelter for our people during calamities,” he said. “This project is a demonstration of PAGCOR’s commitment to address the needs of vulnerable communities.”
Balbin also highlighted the facility’s durability and recalled how it withstood a strong earthquake last year while still under construction.
“There wasn’t a single crack or damage on the walls despite the strong earthquake. This shows the quality and strength of this facility’s construction,” he added.
During the inauguration ceremonies, PAGCOR Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor underscored the agency’s commitment to community development and disaster resilience.
He noted that Maragusan and New Bataan were the only municipalities in Davao de Oro, formerly Compostela Valley, to get socio-civic centers under the agency’s funding.
To date, PAGCOR has completed and inaugurated 43 socio-civic centers nationwide, with 29 more facilities nearing completion.
The post PAGCOR INAUGURATES TWO SOCIO-CIVIC CENTERS IN DAVAO DE ORO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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