Manny Pacquiao and DigiPlus partner across games, sportsbook and payments
Summary
DigiPlus Interactive has announced a multi-faceted partnership with Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao that ties celebrity-led games, sportsbook promotion and payments integration into one ecosystem. Launched in Bonifacio Global City, the deal places Pacquiao at the heart of DigiPlus’ consumer-facing products — BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone — and includes a slate of nine Pacquiao-themed games tailored to the Philippine market.
Pacquiao will serve as brand ambassador for ArenaPlus (sportsbook) and GameZone (tournament and skill-game platform). The tie-up extends beyond licensing: tournaments for traditional card games (Tongits, Pusoy) and narrative-driven slot and bingo titles are planned, emphasising local culture and competitive play.
Payments integration is central. DigiPlus becomes the first official gaming partner of MannyPay — a digital wallet operated by Traxion Pay Inc. and licenced by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). MannyPay will be embedded across DigiPlus platforms, offering 24/7 operations and same-day settlement, while DigiPlus says it will continue to use BSP-accredited channels and PAGCOR-compliant safeguards (including a surety bond covering player balances up to PHP1 million per verified account).
Key Points
- DigiPlus unveiled a wide-ranging partnership with Manny Pacquiao covering games, sportsbook branding and payments integration.
- Nine Pacquiao-themed titles (e.g., Super Ace Pacquiao, Pacman’s Color Game, Wild Bounty Pacquiao) target local player preferences; more releases scheduled through the year.
- Pacquiao appointed brand ambassador for ArenaPlus and GameZone, with promotional alignment to his future fights and nationwide tournaments.
- GameZone will host competitive tournaments for skill-based traditional card games such as Tongits and Pusoy to encourage progression and player engagement.
- MannyPay (Traxion Pay Inc.) is integrated across DigiPlus platforms; BSP-licenced and positioned for 24/7 operation with same-day settlement capability.
- DigiPlus maintains regulatory compliance with BSP-accredited payment channels and PAGCOR-required player protections, including an insurer-backed surety bond up to PHP1 million per verified account.
- The partnership exemplifies a regional shift towards localised, personality-driven content and tighter fintech-gaming integration.
- DigiPlus frames the collaboration as a vertically aligned ecosystem blending entertainment, fintech and competitive play to differentiate in a crowded market.
Context and Relevance
This move sits at the intersection of three industry trends: celebrity-driven content, localisation of game experiences, and embedding payments directly into gaming platforms. For the Philippines — a market with high digital wallet adoption and strong domestic demand for localised content — combining a recognisable national figure, a BSP-licensed payments solution and tournament-driven gameplay is a strategic play to boost engagement and retention.
Author style
Punchy: this isn’t just another celebrity endorsement. DigiPlus is weaving Pacquiao through content, sportsbook marketing and payments — a deliberate attempt to own more of the customer journey. If regional operators want scale and stickiness, this blueprint is worth a close read.
Why should I read this
Short version: if you follow Asian iGaming, fintech or celebrity-brand partnerships, this is a neat case study. Pacquiao + games + a BSP-licenced wallet = a single playbook that could influence how local operators compete on content, payments and tournaments. We’ve skimmed the detail so you don’t have to.