Interblock secures Pagcor approval for ‘Battle for Earth’ ahead of Q4 Manila launch

Interblock has received regulatory approval from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) for its AMUSE product "Battle for Earth", and the company plans to deploy the game at a new integrated resort (IR) with casino in Manila in the fourth quarter of 2026. Vincent Tang, Interblock’s vice president of sales for Asia Pacific, confirmed the clearance to GGRAsia and said the product "will go live during the opening of a new IR casino in Manila, Philippines, by the fourth quarter of 2026".

Pagcor approval clears way for Manila roll-out

The Philippines regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), issued the approval that allows Interblock to launch Battle for Earth in a licensed land-based venue. Interblock did not name the Manila integrated resort in its statement. The company positioned the approval as part of a broader rollout of its AMUSE range across Asia.

"It will go live during the opening of a new IR casino in Manila, Philippines, by the fourth quarter of 2026," said Vincent Tang, Interblock’s vice president of sales for Asia Pacific, confirming Pagcor clearance to GGRAsia.

The approval follows Interblock's recent permissions in other Asian jurisdictions; the company has also gained regulatory clearance in Macau for a separate AMUSE product, "Free Fall Roulette", which made its regional debut at Sands China Ltd-operated properties around the October Golden Week period.

Battle for Earth product details and play mechanics

Battle for Earth is described by Interblock as a "crash game" that marries online-style gameplay with a physical casino installation. The product carries a UFO theme and presents cinematic scenes and changing visual environments during rounds. According to Interblock product material, multipliers increase in real time during each round and players can cash out at any point before the round ends.

Game cycles are short. Interblock states average cycles last between 15 and 20 seconds, and the product can be configured with either one or three betting fields. The hardware platform is Interblock’s Universal Cabinet, which supports the AMUSE software and the crash-style mechanics.

Target venue and Manila market context

Interblock confirmed the Manila venue will be a newly opening integrated resort with a casino but did not disclose the operator or developer. Local reporting and developer statements point to the under-development Westside Resort in Entertainment City as a candidate; that project is run by an entity named Entertainment City Resorts Corp and involves Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. Travellers International is the operator behind the Newport World Resorts casino and leisure complex in Manila. Developers of the Westside Resort have said the property is due to open before the end of 2026.

Regulatory clearance from Pagcor is necessary for any electronic table games to operate legally in a Philippine land-based casino, which makes the approval a prerequisite to installation and public play at the IR when it opens.

Regional rollout and related approvals in Macau

The Philippines clearance forms part of Interblock’s push to scale its AMUSE line in Asia. The company secured Macau clearance for Free Fall Roulette, and that title made its Asian debut at three casino properties operated by Sands China Ltd during the October Golden Week holiday window. Interblock’s strategy is to combine short-cycle, visually driven AMUSE products with its physical cabinet footprint to bridge online-style content and brick-and-mortar play.

For operators and IR developers the draw of AMUSE products is their configurable betting fields and fast rounds, which can suit floor placements that prioritise high throughput. Battle for Earth’s crash mechanics—real-time rising multipliers and client-controlled cashouts—mirror a category familiar to online players while remaining a regulated, land-based offering.

Commercial implications for Manila and suppliers

Securing Pagcor approval ahead of an IR opening gives Interblock the option to ship and install units in time for a Q4 2026 opening window. For equipment suppliers and floor operators the timeline narrows to installation, integration with the venue’s casino management systems, and staff familiarisation with cash-out workflows and responsible-gaming protocols.

Interblock’s disclosure did not include deployment volumes, financial terms, or the identity of the Manila IR operator. The company limited its statement to the regulatory clearance and the scheduled launch window.

What to watch next

Observers should look for confirmation from the IR developer or operator about which property will host the Battle for Earth debut, and whether Interblock will supply single or multi-field cabinets and how many units will be installed at opening. The product’s market performance in Manila will also be informative for other Asian jurisdictions where Interblock is pursuing AMUSE clearances.

For further industry context on hardware and operator considerations, see coverage in our b2b section and recent regulatory reporting in regulation.