Frederic DyBuncio, the president and CEO of SM Investments Corp., said Belle holds a Philippine Inland Gaming Operator (PIGO) license as part of its regular gaming operations.
"We are thinking of setting up our own online gaming [platform]. We put that on a bit of a pause to see what happens to the regulations," DyBuncio said during a media briefing on SM Investment Corp.'s first half financial results on Wednesday.
"We wanted to wait and see first how the regulations will affect us," he added.
Belle also holds a license for the City of Dreams Manila integrated casino, operated by partner Melco Entertainment, along Manila Bay.
DyBuncio said they also hoped new regulations would strengthen on-site gaming.
"We're very strong in the mass market, which is very stable," he said.
Current proposals in Congress point to tighter controls or even a potential ban, creating uncertainty for the online gaming sector.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
