E-Sabong sites continue in the Philippines despite nationwide ban
Unregulated online cockfighting platforms continue to operate.
The Philippines.- A study has found that online cockfighting, or e-sabong, continues on unregulated platforms in the Philippines despite the ban imposed in December 2022. The sociocultural research firm The Fourth Wall has highlighted enforcement challenges and concerns about player safety and financial risks.
The report indicates that unregulated sites such as PHDream, PHFun, Betso88, Jolibet, and Okebet host e-sabong events, often promoted through private Facebook groups and messaging, bypassing the regulated gambling market overseen by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
Unlike regulated platforms, which require government-issued IDs, age verification and third-party game audits, unregulated sites often ask for only an email or phone number for registration, increasing the risk of underage gambling and exposure to scams, the report says. They also have no limits for transactions.
“Our latest report demonstrates how prohibited games like e-sabong remain easily accessible on unregulated platforms, even to high-profile figures, underscoring persistent enforcement challenges,” said John Brylle Bae, research director at The Fourth Wall.
The report comes amid a debate about the future of online gambling in the Philippines. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has also banned its officials from participating in online gambling. Finance secretary Ralph Recto has said that about 60 per cent of online gaming firms operate without regulation, prompting calls for tighter enforcement.
