SL618 Live, WPC16: What is Online Sabong? Is it Legal / Legit For over 3,000 years, sabong or cockfighting has has been a significant part of Filipino tradition. I still remember when I was a kid, when my neighbors would bring me to the derby and sit among the crowds of men placing their bets in the sabungan. You would think that this tradition would perish during the pandemic considering that large gatherings are no longer allowed. However, this Filipino pastime has proved to be resilient enough to adapt to the digital trends. What used to be cockfights held in cockpits have now become livestreams shown not just in the Philippines, but even to international bettors as well.
What is Online Sabong?
Look no further than the the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) website, to know the definition of online sabong live, or eSabong. It’s described as “the online/remote or off-site wagering/betting on live cockfighting matches, events, and/or activities streamed or broadcasted live from cockpit arena/s licensed or authorized by the Local Government Units having jurisdiction thereof.”
Is Online Sabong Legal / Legit?
The actual live sabong held traditionally on authorized cockpits are legal under certain conditions. The traditional sabong is regulated by concerned Local Government Units (LGU). The Cockfighting Law of 1974 states that “cockfighting shall be allowed only in licensed cockpits during Sundays and legal holidays and during local fiestas for not more than three days.”
It must be noted though that this decree apparently does not cover sabong that is done through online platforms. Hence at some point it was a gray area where online sabong stands in the current Philippine laws.
In December 2020, congressmen approved on second reading House Bill 8065 “providing for the imposition of taxes on off-site betting activities on locally licensed cockfights and derbies.”
When you check out the PAGCOR website, you’ll see that there’s actually already a section dedicated to eSabong. It also gives you access to a regulatory framework that details the processing of applications and issuances of licenses of online sabong operators.
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This leads us to the question: is online sabong legal / legit? It may depend on which operator you’re transacting with (operator examples are SL618 Live, WPC16, and WPC15). According to the the regulatory framework, only PAGCOR-accredited operators are authorized to hold online sabong operations.
WPC16, WPC15, and SL618 Live
Some of the most popular online sabong sites are SL618 Live, WPC16, and WPC15. If you visit these sites, you’ll see that their sabong online registration pages indicate that they are licensed by PAGCOR. To make sure that you are transacting with a legit operator, it is best to check with PAGCOR themselves to make sure that your participation is completely legal.
How to Register in Online Sabong and access dashboard login
To register for online sabong live, you simply need to go to the website of a PAGCOR-accredited operator and create an account before you can access the dashboard login. The details you would normally need to provide are your first and last name, your phone numbers, Facebook account, and a username and password.
Interestingly, in sites such as SL618 and WPC16, when you go to their registration page, you have to contact their Customer Service Representatives (CSR) over mobile, Viber, or Whatsapp if you don’t have an account yet.