Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) Chair Andrea Domingo said she favors having a separate regulator to oversee the country’s booming online cockfighting industry, known as eSabong.

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has justified the continuation of e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations, despite calls from senators to suspend it as a result of 34 missing persons connected to the sport. 

Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) Chair Andrea Domingo has said the suspension of online cockfighting (eSabong) before a probe looking into the disappearance of some 34 people connected with the sport has ended will make the regulator vulnerable to legal action.

The Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has warned that any operators found to be accepting bets on online cockfighting from overseas will face penalties.

It’s no secret that the thrill of cockfights (or sabong, as we know it), lies in the energy that fills an arena, with the sound of the crowd cheering and standing on the edge, waiting to find out what luck lies ahead. 

After a slow start, the Philippines’ domestic online gaming industry is beginning to gain momentum, helping to pad the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp’s (PAGCOR) Covid-depleted coffers.

PAGCOR says it has already collected more than $19.9 million in fees from licensed eSabong operators in the first four months of operation.

Philippines-listed gaming provider DFNN Group announced on Thursday it will be introducing e-sabong (online cockfighting) as new gaming content under license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation chairwoman Andrea Domingo is placing her hopes on new online gaming initiatives in the country to boost industry revenue this year. 

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Chair Andrea Domingo said two operators have been granted permission to begin e-sabong operations this month after fully paying their license fees.