PAGCOR allows 4 e-sabong firms to operate

MANILA, Philippines — State gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has allowed four firms to operate electronic cockfight gambling or e-sabong in the country, an official said yesterday.

Jose Joey Tria Jr., PAGCOR acting vice president for Internet gaming licensing and regulation, said two firms were issued “notice to commence operations” in May: E Sports Encuentro Live Corp., with the online brand of Encuentro Live!; and Visayas Cockers Club Inc., with the brand Sabong International Ph.

The two e-sabong operators join Belvedere Vista Corp. with the brand Sabong Express, linked to Pampanga-based gaming tycoon Bong Pineda; and Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., which operates the Pitmasters Live games of Filipino-Chinese gaming aficionado Charlie “Atong” Ang.

Tria, also a special assistant to PAGCOR board chairperson and chief executive officer Andrea Domingo, told The STAR that two other firms, Magnus Gaming Systems Inc. which has yet to submit application papers; and Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies Inc., with the brand Jade Sabong, have not yet been given the same notice to commence operations.

Earlier, Tria said that the issuance of a notice to commence requires applicants to post performance bonds and set up systems compliant with PAGCOR regulations.

Tria said IAMSOLUTIONS Inc., Maharlika Lucky 7 Online Gaming and Red Cock International Corp. have submitted letters of intent to apply for an e-sabong license.

Domingo earlier said that PAGCOR wants six e-sabong firms to operate in the country as the state gaming regulator seeks to tap the revenue-generating potential of online cockfight gambling to shore up dwindling revenues amid the closure of its casinos and integrated resort casinos at the PAGCOR Entertainment City along Manila Bay.

The revenue crunch for PAGCOR, she warned, could prevent it from contributing significantly to the universal health care program that is funding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth.

Domingo said that from a high of P18 billion, PAGCOR contributed only P8 billion last year. She added that in 2021, PAGCOR may contribute only P5 billion or less.

“That makes us feel very sad because you know, we have so many problems with COVID and if we continue in this trend, then we will not be able to help at all,” she said.