Cockfighting in the Philippines: A National Tradition
In the Philippines, e-sabong betting is the undisputed national sport. For hundreds of years, people across the islands have embraced cockfighting. However, while PAGCOR and the Philippine government regulate the sport, a thriving underground cockfighting community also exists. Moreover, many bettors have moved their action for unsanctioned events online.
To combat this, the country is considering legislation to regulate legal e-Sabong betting, or online sabong betting. To learn more about the future of legal online cockfighting in the Philippines, OtsoBet breaks down the current market. Furthermore, we explore what’s in store once PAGCOR takes full control of online cockfighting betting.
Is e-Sabong Legal in the Philippines?
Currently, the Philippines does not regulate online cockfighting betting, and the government considers most Internet-based cockfighting sportsbooks illegal. However, the country plans to change this by bringing online cockfighting to the masses, similar to regulated domestic cockfighting.
The pending law, HB 8910, is expected to pass soon. Once enacted, it will overhaul the cockfighting betting marketplace in the country, placing e-Sabong under PAGCOR and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Moreover, the law aims to make gray-market online sabong illegal, creating a legal online environment for e-Sabong. With the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, discussions about legalizing full online sports betting in the Philippines have gained traction. Additionally, e-Sabong could pave the way for other online casino sportsbooks, allowing bettors to wager on PBA, eSports, and other sports.
e-Sabong Online Betting Rules
Currently, the Philippines lacks defined laws for online cockfighting betting. However, if HB 8910 passes, PAGCOR and the GAB will oversee both Sabong and e-Sabong. Furthermore, this approach makes sense given the enthusiasm for cockfighting in the Philippines. A regulated, taxable model would generate significant revenue for the country.
What is Illegal Online Cockfighting?
Illegal online cockfighting involves unauthorized betting on cockfighting matches online. Since the government has not established laws governing this industry, any bets placed online with unauthorized cockpits are considered illegal.
Ironically, the term “e-Sabong” originated in the illegal online cockfighting community. Even as the government seeks to outlaw these services, it has adopted the name “e-Sabong” for its legalization initiatives. This evolution in branding demonstrates how widespread and popular unregulated e-Sabong is in the country.