Solaire Resort and Casino signals iGaming recruitment drive

Solaire Resort and Casino, one of the Philippines’ premier luxury gaming destinations, is stepping up its efforts in the online gaming sector.

The company has begun recruiting for key positions to support its expansion, aiming to establish a stronger foothold in the rapidly growing digital gaming industry.

Solaire posted on LinkedIn a few days ago that it is actively hiring for critical roles such as Online Gaming Director, Director for Retention Marketing, Head of Online Casino and Bingo, Game Host, and Technical Support Representative.

The casino operator, backed by Enrique Razon, the third richest person in the Philippines, has set its sights on launching an iGaming app, possibly by the third quarter of next year, positioning itself to directly compete with rival DigiPlus.

While details about the app’s specific format remain under wraps, it appears Solaire is determined to carve out a significant share of the Philippines online gaming market.

The planned app is expected to go beyond Solaire’s existing online gaming offerings, which currently cater to domestic players under a Philippine Inland Gaming Operator (PIGO) license.

These offerings include live slot games, live table games, and e-games tied to the firm’s physical casino inventory.

To power its digital gaming platform, Solaire has reportedly teamed up with Gaming Innovation Group.

Furthermore, the company has approached popular e-wallet platforms Maya and GCash, for potential partnerships to simplify transactions and enhance customer convenience. However, GCash has yet to commit itself to the endeavour.

Competing in a growing market

The move comes as the online gaming market in the Philippines experiences rapid growth. According to a report this month by Morgan Stanley, Solaire’s parent company Bloomberry Resorts is targeting a new customer segment with an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $26 per month.

The report also highlighted DigiPlus as the dominant player in the domestic market, holding a commanding 50% market share with approximately 30 million registered users.

The broader online gaming sector in the Philippines is thriving, with annualised gaming revenues in the third quarter of 2023 tracking at $2.4bn — equivalent to 70% of the gross gaming revenue (GGR) from land-based operations.

Despite its smaller relative size, the online gaming sector has surpassed land-based casinos in terms of tax contributions due to its higher tax rate. The current tax rate for online gaming operators stands at 35%, a reduction from the 50% rate imposed two years ago.

A strategic shift in branding

According to Morgan Stanley, Solaire’s upcoming app may not carry the Solaire brand, as the company is likely to launch the platform under a different brand to target a distinct customer base.

This strategy could allow Solaire to diversify its offerings and appeal to a broader audience, distinguishing itself from its high-end land-based operations.

Solaire faces stiff competition in entering the competitive market, but its established reputation and strategic partnerships position it as a formidable challenger.

The integration of advanced technology from Gaming Innovation Group and partnerships with leading e-wallet providers aim to offer a more flexible user experience.

This could help the company differentiate itself from competitors like DigiPlus as it works to take control of a larger share of the market.

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