On August 18, local time, Philippine Senator Joel Villanueva stated that the government should not restore online cockfighting (e-sabong), even as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) face closure.
He pointed out that the social costs of online cockfighting far outweigh its potential benefits.
Villanueva had proposed a bill in September 2022 aimed at completely banning online gambling, citing the heavy social burden allowed by gambling. He emphasized that online cockfighting, unlike online gaming companies, directly affects the citizens of the country, leading to family breakdowns, increased personal debt, and even criminal activities.
He mentioned that since the ban on online cockfighting in May 2022, nearly 800 operators continued to host online cockfights in February, and the government failed to effectively tax them.
The House Committee on Games and Amusements has approved a bill to ban e-sabong and called on the police to enforce the administrative order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022 to temporarily suspend online cockfighting, seizing equipment used to broadcast the matches.
