PAGCOR has allowed four firms to operate e-sabong in the Philippines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) <\/strong>has announced that four licensed e-sabong (online cockfighting) operators have been granted permits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The regulator previously granted permits to two e-sabong firms<\/a> in May: E-Sports Encuentro Live Corp.<\/strong>, with the online brand of Encuentro Live!; and Visayas Cockers Club Inc.<\/strong>, with the brand Sabong International Ph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has now also approved applications from Belvedere Vista Corp. and Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. PAGCOR chairman Andrea Domingo <\/strong>has said that two more firms have yet to submit application papers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PAGCOR hopes to grant permits for six e-sabong operators<\/a> as online betting on cockfights <\/strong>has rocketed in the Philippines since cockpits were closed to spectators at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Philippines’ cockfighting industry is believed to be worth just over US$1bn per year<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PAGCOR is suffering the impact<\/strong> of the closure of Metro Manila casinos<\/a> amid a rise in Covid-19 cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Domingo, the decline in revenue<\/strong> could prevent the regulator from contributing significantly to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp universal healthcare programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte has recently called on lawmakers to pass a bill that sets income and gaming taxes on online casinos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senate Bill 2232 <\/strong>indicates that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) must pay 5 per cent on their gross gaming revenue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foreigners employed by online casinos and their service providers would have to pay 25 per cent income tax. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPOGO tax bill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n