How Will SportsHero’s US$1m PLDT Deal Transform Southeast Asia Gaming?

Strategic Southeast Asia Expansion

SportsHero Limited (ASX, SHO) has unveiled a series of strategic partnerships that position it at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s booming gaming market. Central to this expansion is a recently signed two-year agreement with PLDT Inc, the Philippines’ largest telecommunications provider, featuring a minimum contract value of US$1 million in the first year. This deal enables SportsHero to distribute its flagship iGV Family Game Pass product across the Philippines, leveraging PLDT’s extensive fiber-to-the-home network and subscriber base.

Complementing this, SportsHero has secured agreements with Indonesia’s second and third largest telcos, Indosat-Ooredoo and XL-Axiata, to market the same gaming pass. These partnerships grant SportsHero access to over 32% of Indonesia’s telco market, a critical gateway to one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming audiences.

Innovative Monetization via Telco Partnerships

SportsHero’s business model capitalizes on Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), a payment method that allows subscribers to charge purchases directly to their mobile phone accounts. This approach significantly reduces friction in customer onboarding, bypassing the need for credit cards and enhancing financial inclusion in markets where digital payments are still evolving.

By partnering with telcos, SportsHero benefits from low customer acquisition costs, as these partners actively promote the gaming pass to their existing subscribers. The company estimates gross margins of at least 25.9% on subscription revenues, highlighting a scalable and potentially lucrative recurring revenue stream.

Building on Localized Engagement and Technology

SportsHero’s success in Southeast Asia is underpinned by its localized digital platforms, such as OlahBola in Indonesia, which attracted over 3.6 million unique users within eight months. The company’s proprietary cloud-based technology integrates live sports content, esports engagement, and interactive gaming, creating a compelling ecosystem for fans and gamers alike.

Further bolstering its commercial strategy, SportsHero appointed esports veteran Crispin Tristram as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing deep regional expertise to accelerate growth and partnership development.

Tapping into a Massive and Growing Market

The Southeast Asian gaming market is vast and rapidly expanding, with millions of PC gamers in Indonesia and the Philippines alone. SportsHero’s iGV Family Game Pass offers access to over 200 popular games via cloud streaming, appealing to a broad demographic that spans casual to hardcore gamers.

With gaming now surpassing social media as a primary screen activity for youth in some regions, SportsHero’s timing and strategy align well with shifting consumer behaviors and digital entertainment trends.

Looking Ahead

While the company’s projections are promising, actual subscriber uptake and monetization will be key metrics to watch. SportsHero’s low overhead and partnership-driven model provide a solid foundation, but competitive dynamics and integration risks remain factors to monitor as the company scales its footprint across Southeast Asia.