President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the continued suspension of electronic sabong (e-sabong or cockfighting) operations nationwide in an executive order issued on Wednesday, December 28, and released to the media the following day1. Executive Order No. 9 suspends the livestreaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside cockpits, cockfighting arenas, and premises where cockfights are being held, and prohibits online, remote, or off-cockpit wagering on live cockfighting matches regardless of where the betting platform is located1.
The nationwide suspension of e-sabong has been in place since May 3, ordered by then-president Rodrigo Duterte1. Duterte initially declined calls for a suspension because of the industry's economic benefits, saying in March that the government earned P640 million from online cockfighting every month, before ordering the halt just over a month later over concerns about its "social impact"1.
EO No. 9 directs the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to coordinate with local government units, other concerned agencies, and the private sector to implement the order. The interior department and the Philippine National Police are mandated to support Pagcor and to provide regular reports to the President1.
"There is an urgent need to reiterate the continued suspension of all e-sabong operations nationwide, clarify the scope of existing regulations, and direct relevant agencies to pursue aggressive crackdown against illegal e-sabong operations, in accordance with law"
The order states that the state "has the paramount obligation to protect public health and morals and promote public safety and general welfare"1. Operations of traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws are not covered by the suspension1.
The order followed a December 20 announcement by the PNP that at least five police officers had been dismissed from service over their alleged involvement in the abduction of an e-sabong executive. A PNP spokesperson said at the time that the Department of Justice was expected to file criminal charges against only three of the officers, but that all five had been dismissed1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Order | Executive Order No. 9 |
| Signed | Wednesday, December 28, 2022 |
| Released to media | Thursday, December 29, 2022 |
| Scope | Livestreaming of cockfights outside cockpits; online, remote and off-cockpit betting |
| Not covered | Traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws |
| Prior suspension | In place since May 3, ordered by Rodrigo Duterte |
| Monthly government earnings cited | P640 million from online cockfighting |
What it means for players
The order keeps e-sabong shut down nationwide, so the livestreamed fights and off-site betting that the format depended on remain unavailable in the Philippines. Because the prohibition applies regardless of where the betting platform is located, the location of the site or app does not change its status under the order1. Traditional sabong at licensed cockpits is expressly excluded, so in-person cockfighting under existing authorizations is unaffected1. The order also directs agencies toward a crackdown on illegal e-sabong operations, which signals enforcement attention on operators and bettors using unlicensed channels1. For the wider picture of what is legal in the country, see Can I Gamble in the Philippines? and the site's overview of Asian gambling games.
What happens next
Pagcor is to coordinate implementation with local government units, other agencies, and the private sector, while the interior department and the PNP provide support and submit regular reports to the President1. No end date for the suspension has been reported.
