Interblock secures Pagcor approval for 'Battle for Earth' and will launch in Manila in Q4 2026
Pagcor cleared Interblock’s AMUSE for rollout at a new Manila integrated resort before year-end
Key Takeaways
- Pagcor authorised Interblock’s AMUSE "Battle for Earth" and the product is scheduled to launch in Manila in Q4 2026.
- Interblock confirmed the authorisation to GGRAsia through Vincent Tang, vice president of sales for Asia Pacific.
- Battle for Earth is a "crash" game with average round cycles of 15–20 seconds and allows players to cash out at any time.
- The likely host is Westside Resort in Entertainment City, developed by Entertainment City Resorts Corp with participation from Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.
- Interblock has not disclosed commercial terms, unit counts or territorial exclusivities for the Manila deployment.
Interblock has obtained regulatory approval from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) for its AMUSE product "Battle for Earth" and plans to launch it at a new integrated resort with a casino in Manila in the fourth quarter of 2026. Vincent Tang, Interblock’s vice president of sales for Asia Pacific, confirmed the approval to GGRAsia and said the company has not yet disclosed the name of the host resort.
Pagcor approval for Interblock Battle for Earth
Pagcor authorised the product after the usual regulatory assessments, according to Vincent Tang’s confirmation. The manufacturer did not specify the exact go-live date within the fourth quarter, only that "Battle for Earth" "will go live with the opening of a new IR casino in Manila, Philippines, by the fourth quarter of 2026," quoted Tang.
"The product has been approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) and will launch with the opening of a new IR in Manila in the fourth quarter of 2026," said Vincent Tang, Interblock’s vice president of sales for Asia Pacific.
The authorisation in the Philippines is part of a broader deployment strategy for Interblock’s AMUSE line across Asia, which includes recent approvals in other jurisdictions.
Where it could be installed and who is involved in Manila
Interblock did not identify the resort where "Battle for Earth" will debut. Market sources have linked the timing window to Westside Resort, a development in Entertainment City, Manila, whose opening promoters say is planned before year-end. Westside Resort is being developed by an entity identified as Entertainment City Resorts Corp, in which Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. holds a stake.
Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. also operates the Newport World Resorts complex in Manila. None of these companies were confirmed by Interblock as the operator for the launch, so assignment of the product to a specific IR remains unpublished.
What Battle for Earth is and how it works
Interblock describes Battle for Earth as a "crash" type game that brings mechanics common in online gaming into a physical casino format. The product integrates a UFO theme with cinematic scenes and variable environments.
According to product documentation provided by the company:
Multipliers increase in real time during each round.
Players can cash out their bet at any time before the round ends.
Round cycles last an average of 15 to 20 seconds.
The product can offer one or three betting fields and is built on Interblock’s Universal Cabinet platform.
The combination places the product in the category of fast experiences designed to attract both digital players and floor audiences.
Regional rollout of the AMUSE family and other approvals in Asia
The approval in the Philippines follows Interblock’s authorisation in Macao for its product "Free Fall Roulette." That roulette made its Asian debut in three properties operated by Sands China Ltd around the Golden Week holiday period in October.
The company positions the AMUSE family as a line intended for the Asia-Pacific region, and the progression of regulatory approvals is central to its commercial strategy in regulated land-based markets.
Implications for operators and the land-based gaming market
For casino operators in Asia, the arrival of games that replicate online mechanics in a physical cabinet represents a new product offering with rapid revenue cycles (15–20 seconds) and real-time cash-out options. That raises operational and regulatory demands around cycle-level game registration, payment handling and local compliance verification.
Manufacturers such as Interblock must coordinate technical certifications and local approvals prior to installation, and interested operators need to integrate the equipment into their floor flows and into the supervisory procedures required by the competent authority.
What’s next and expected timetable
Interblock will maintain the fourth-quarter 2026 window as its Manila launch horizon while the host resort and the exact opening date are clarified. The company continues to roll out AMUSE across Asia, supported by approvals such as Pagcor’s and the certification obtained in Macao for Free Fall Roulette.
The regulatory progress in the Philippines and Macao expands commercial options for Interblock in high tourist-traffic Asian markets and sets a precedent for future AMUSE product introductions in the region.
Additional information for suppliers and operators
Hardware and casino management system suppliers should prepare integrations with the Universal Cabinet platform and plan for high-frequency cycle operations. Operators interested in installation must coordinate with Pagcor on local compliance requirements and with the resort developer on logistics for assembly and commissioning.
Interblock has not disclosed commercial terms, unit numbers or territorial exclusivities for the Battle for Earth launch in Manila.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will Battle for Earth be launched in the Philippines?
Battle for Earth will be launched in Manila in the fourth quarter of 2026. Interblock confirmed to GGRAsia that the rollout will coincide with the opening of a new integrated resort with a casino in Manila, but it has not named the resort.
What type of game is Battle for Earth and how long do rounds last?
Battle for Earth is a "crash" game that adapts online mechanics to a physical casino format; round cycles average between 15 and 20 seconds. The product allows players to cash out their bet before each round ends.
Which regulatory body approved the product in the Philippines?
The approval was granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor). Vincent Tang, Interblock’s vice president of sales for Asia Pacific, confirmed the authorisation to GGRAsia.
Is the launch tied to a specific project in Entertainment City?
The launch timing aligns with the expected opening window of Westside Resort in Entertainment City, which promoters say should open before year-end; Westside is being developed by Entertainment City Resorts Corp with participation from Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.
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About the author
Gonzalo Marín
Industry Deals Correspondent
Gonzalo Marín covers the corporate deal flow of gambling — operator strategy, M&A, regulated-market entries, and product launches. The reports open with the transaction, cite companies, valuations, and jurisdictions exactly as released, and keep the announcement apart from its actual effect. When a Latin American operator raises capital or a European brand lands in the region, Gonzalo Marín reports who signs, for how much, and on what terms.
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