Philippine-listed leisure estate and gaming firm Belle Corp. posted a 93 percent net profit gain in the first half of 2017 as it rides on the vibrant gambling activity in City of Dreams Manila.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Belle Corp announced that its net profit grew to PHP1.77 billion (US$35.25 million) in January to June 30, 2017 period, thanks to the leasing and gaming revenue of the integrated gaming resort.

Belle’s recurring net income for the first semester, which excludes capital gains on sales of non-core investments, amounted to PHP1.66 billion (US$33.06 million), up 82 percent year-on-year.

Through its 78.7 percent-owned subsidiary Premium Leisure Corp. (PLC), Belle’s gaming income of City of Dreams more than doubled to PHP to P1.46 billion (US$29.08 million) for the first semester. The company said that this became possible due to the continued growth of gaming operations at the gaming resort.