President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 9 s. 2022 in December 2022, continuing the suspension of all E-Sabong operations, including auxiliary E-Sabong activities, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera Administrative Region1.
The order covers activities relating to E-Sabong such as live-streaming or broadcasting of cockfights inside and outside cockpits or cockfighting arenas, or in any premises where cockfights are being held, including online betting on cockfighting matches, events, activities streamed or broadcasted live, regardless of the betting platform1.
The suspension traces back to May 4, 2022, when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) issued a notice and guidelines on the suspension of E-Sabong operations following the verbal order of then President Rodrigo R. Duterte1.
The DILG Cordillera Administrative Region renewed its call to all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to continue monitoring betting stations and cockpit arenas operating as E-Sabong in their respective localities, if there are any1. Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose of DILG-CAR said the PNP is also directed to implement appropriate actions against any violator in accordance with the rule of law1.
"We are urging our city and municipal governments in the region to closely coordinate with and provide assistance to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the compliance of the suspension of E-Sabong,"
What it means for players
E-Sabong, the online betting on cockfights, remains suspended under Executive Order No. 9 s. 20221. The order covers online betting on cockfighting matches, events, activities streamed or broadcasted live, regardless of the betting platform1. This applies to locals, expats and visitors in the Philippines. The DILG-CAR has called on LGUs to monitor betting stations and cockpit arenas operating as E-Sabong in their localities, and the PNP is directed to act against violators in accordance with the rule of law1. The sources do not state penalties for individuals or operators who violate the suspension.
What happens next
The DILG-CAR renewed its call to LGUs to continue monitoring betting stations and cockpit arenas operating as E-Sabong in their respective localities1. No further dated steps are reported in the sources.
For background on Sabong and where it sits among Asian gambling games, and for general rules on whether you can gamble in the Philippines, see the linked guides.
