Anti-online gambling bill passage pushed amid resurgence of e-sabong

He filed Senate Bill 63 or Anti Online Gambling Act in 2022 after the disappearance of cockfighters and other issues related to e-sabong. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday pushed for the passage of the Anti-Online Gambling Act after reports of continued operations of the e-sabong (electronic cockfighting) despite being suspended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Cayetano said the resurgence of e-sabong was disclosed during the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements hearing on Wednesday.

He filed Senate Bill 63 or Anti Online Gambling Act in 2022 after the disappearance of cockfighters and other issues related to e-sabong.

“The pull of gambling, especially over the Internet, makes it more alluring for our kababayan (countrymen) who cannot help but engage in such activities, desperately hoping to immediately win large sums of money. Online gambling platforms, such as e-sabong, have demonstrated how it can destroy the moral fiber of our nation” Cayetano said in a statement.

Former president Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered the termination of e-sabong operations in May 2022. However, several small groups and individuals continue to use the online platform for cockfighting betting.

In December 2022, Marcos ordered the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide.

Despite this, the Philippine National Police said they discovered that e-sabong operations continue, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of aficionados engaged in illegal operations.

Under his proposed bill, Cayetano wants a maximum penalty, including imprisonment and fines for violators, dismissal of public employees from service, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and prohibiting them from voting or participating in elections.