Unregulated Gambling Platforms Continue to Host E-Sabong, Defying Nationwide Ban – New Study

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A recent study by The Fourth Wall highlights how e-sabong continues to thrive on unregulated gambling platforms, posing significant risks to players and undermining government efforts to enforce the nationwide ban.

PRESS RELEASE

Unregulated gambling platforms continue to host e-sabong despite nationwide ban – study

Manila, Philippines — A new study from Filipino-focused sociocultural research firm The Fourth Wall reveals that online cockfighting, or e-sabong, persists on unregulated gambling platforms despite a nationwide ban.

The report, which examined key operational areas of regulated and unregulated online gaming, highlights how unregulated sites operate outside of the consumer protections and strict protocols mandated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), creating significant risks for players.

According to its findings, several unregulated gambling platforms continue to host e-sabong events and actively promote the game on platforms like Facebook through dedicated groups and private messages to invite players. The games are sometimes gated by account registration but remain openly promoted, indicating ongoing demand and the resilience of illegal operators.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 9 in December 2022, suspending e-sabong operations nationwide and halting all forms of online, remote, or off-cockpit betting on live cockfighting matches, as well as the live-streaming of such events outside official venues.

E-sabong has come to the spotlight after its sighting during President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address in July, when a congressman was filmed watching a cockfighting livestream.

“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,” John Brylle L. Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, said.

Aside from the issue of e-sabong, the report analyzed online gambling platforms across specific operational areas, including game offerings, promotions, affiliate structures, payment channels, Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, trust and safety, and customer service.

The report closely looked at regulated platforms, including BingoPlus, PlayTime, CasinoPlus, ArenaPlus, Bet88, OKBet, and 747 Live, and unregulated platforms such as PHDream, PHFun, PH365, Betso88, 1xBet, Jili77, and OkeBet.

According to the study, unregulated platforms offer an average of approximately 5,000 games, 72% more than regulated platforms, which offer around 2,900 games. Unlike regulated platforms, which must secure approval from PAGCOR and submit games for third-party auditing, unregulated sites release games without any verification, exposing players to potentially fake or manipulated content.

Player verification also distinguishes between regulated and unregulated platforms. Regulated platforms are covered by PAGCOR’s stricter protocols, which include a PAGCOR-branded pop-up upon player signup for eligibility verification. This process requires valid government IDs, age checks, and sometimes cross-checks with e-wallet registration details. 

In contrast, KYC requirements are often minimal or absent on unregulated platforms, with some sites only requiring a phone number or email to register. This lack of oversight has seen cases of minors participating on unregulated platforms, some of whom shared stories of incurring debts, falling victim to scams and fraud, and facing privacy issues from spam texts.

In addition, payment systems diverge significantly. Regulated platforms support popular e-wallets such as GCash, Maya, QRPH, and bank transfers, but they cap transactions to comply with anti-money laundering policies. Unregulated platforms, however, allow payments with no transaction limits, which can lead to excessive losses for players.

Trust and safety sharply contrast between the two categories. Regulated platforms verify games and provide formal complaint channels with PAGCOR escalation, whereas unregulated sites often have inconsistent dispute resolution and are frequently linked to scams, phishing risks, and fake game listings.

The platforms’ marketing tactics also reveal key differences. Regulated platforms offer sign-up bonuses and occasional rebates, but their promotions are limited to 10% to 40%. In contrast, unregulated platforms entice players with much higher-value bonuses of up to 108%, along with frequent new player promotions and cashbacks that exceed those of their regulated counterparts.

Additionally, affiliate programs highlight a significant disparity in strategy and oversight. Many unregulated operators run highly lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45% to 65% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) to attract agents. Regulated platforms, however, offer lower commission rates, typically ranging from 30% to 40%, and provide clear qualification and payment structures.

“Our report shows that the operational differences between regulated and unregulated platforms do not just define how platforms function, but also shape the risks and potential harms players face, especially in unregulated spaces. The absence of safeguards in unregulated platforms highlights the need for targeted enforcement and public awareness,” Bae added.

To get full access to the report, you may visit www.fourthwallglobal.com/phgambcomp or follow The Fourth Wall’s LinkedIn page.

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ABOUT THE FOURTH WALL 

The Fourth Wall is the pioneering research and analysis firm that interprets data through the Philippines’ unique sociocultural lens. It delivers clear insights and practical, actionable solutions tailored to the local context.

Since 2018, its work has helped transform and grow organizations across the country—enabling businesses and products to break into new markets, guiding workforce development, informing public policy for government and NGOs, and providing valuable insights to the media.

Website: www.fourthwallglobal.com

Benefits

  1. Increased awareness: The report sheds light on the persistence of e-sabong despite the ban, raising public awareness about unregulated gambling risks.
  2. Clearer understanding of risks: Helps players and regulators understand the dangers of participating in unregulated gambling platforms.
  3. Consumer protection: Highlights the importance of protecting consumers from gambling on platforms that lack proper safeguards.
  4. Informed decision-making: Players can make better decisions by understanding the differences between regulated and unregulated platforms.
  5. Regulatory improvements: Data can assist policymakers in improving enforcement strategies and strengthening the gaming regulatory framework.
  6. Player safety: The study emphasizes the importance of proper KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures to prevent fraud and protect minors.
  7. Transparency: Exposes the lack of transparency and consumer protection on unregulated gambling platforms.
  8. Better enforcement strategies: Offers insights into where enforcement and regulatory efforts need to be targeted for greater effectiveness.
  9. Public awareness: Contributes to public education on the risks of online gambling, particularly in unregulated spaces.
  10. Business opportunities: Businesses can use the findings to improve their services and offerings by aligning with regulations and consumer protection policies.

Insights

  1. Unregulated platforms continue to promote e-sabong despite the nationwide ban, showcasing their ability to bypass regulations.
  2. Illegal operators use social media platforms like Facebook to target potential players, demonstrating the resilience of underground gambling networks.
  3. Regulated platforms adhere to strict operational protocols, including age verification, KYC procedures, and game audits, ensuring player safety.
  4. Unregulated platforms offer significantly more games (5,000 on average) compared to regulated sites (2,900), often without proper verification or audits.
  5. Unregulated sites have minimal or no KYC requirements, allowing minors to access gambling platforms and increasing the risk of exploitation.
  6. E-sabong remains popular despite the ban, with platforms offering high-value bonuses to attract new players and increase demand.
  7. Payment systems on unregulated platforms lack safeguards, with no transaction limits, leading to potential financial losses for players.
  8. Affiliate programs for unregulated sites are highly lucrative, offering up to 65% commission on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), a tactic that is not employed by regulated platforms.
  9. Scams and fraud are more prevalent on unregulated platforms, with inconsistent dispute resolution and an increased risk of phishing.
  10. Marketing tactics on unregulated sites entice players with high-value promotions that often seem too good to be true, highlighting the need for stronger oversight.

Conclusion

The study by The Fourth Wall underscores the continuing challenges posed by unregulated gambling platforms that host e-sabong despite the nationwide ban. These platforms not only expose players to significant risks such as fraud, scams, and excessive financial losses but also evade consumer protections that regulated sites must adhere to. With the findings from this report, it is clear that more robust enforcement and stricter regulations are necessary to protect Filipino players and prevent the resurgence of illegal gambling activities.

Link Resources

  1. The Fourth Wall Official Website
  2. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
  3. Executive Order No. 9 – Suspension of E-Sabong
  4. The Dangers of Online Gambling: Stay Informed

Key Phrases

  1. E-sabong ban
  2. Unregulated gambling platforms
  3. Online cockfighting
  4. PAGCOR regulations
  5. Gambling risks
  6. KYC procedures
  7. Player protection
  8. Gambling scams
  9. Illegal gambling networks
  10. Gambling enforcement

Best Hashtags

  1. #ESabong
  2. #GamblingBan
  3. #OnlineGambling
  4. #UnregulatedPlatforms
  5. #PlayerProtection
  6. #PAGCOR
  7. #RegulatedGambling
  8. #GamblingRisks
  9. #PublicAwareness
  10. #FightAgainstScams

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