E-Sabong in 2026: 7-Point Checklist on Its History and Current Status

The Quick 7-Point E-Sabong Checklist

If you've been hearing about e-sabong again in 2026, you're not alone. The online cockfighting industry that once dominated Philippine betting headlines is back in conversations—but not in the way you might think. Before you search for a live stream or place a bet, run through this quick checklist to separate fact from speculation.

1. E-sabong started as a regulated online extension of traditional cockfighting. The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) began issuing licenses to operators in 2020, allowing betting on live-streamed fights from dedicated pits.
2. It peaked in popularity in 2021. At its height, e-sabong was generating an estimated PHP 5 billion in monthly gross gaming revenues, according to Senate hearings.
3. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a suspension in April 2022. The move followed reports of disappearances and other social harms linked to the industry.
4. All e-sabong operations were officially shut down by May 2022. Licenses were revoked, and operators were ordered to cease activities.
5. In 2026, e-sabong remains illegal in the Philippines. No new licenses have been issued, and PAGCOR has not included e-sabong in its regulated offerings.
6. Underground operations persist. Illegal e-sabong sites and small-scale operations still exist, often targeting bettors through social media and messaging apps.
7. Legislative efforts to revive it have stalled. Bills filed in Congress have not gained enough traction to overturn the ban.

This checklist is your starting point. The rest of this article digs deeper into each point so you can understand the full picture.

How E-Sabong Rose to Prominence (2020–2021)

E-sabong didn't appear out of nowhere. It was a direct response to the pandemic. When live cockfighting events were halted due to COVID-19 restrictions, operators pivoted to online streaming. The GAB saw an opportunity to regulate and tax the activity, issuing licenses to a handful of operators like Lucky 8 Star Quest, Belvedere Vista, and Visayas Cockers Club.

These platforms broadcast fights from pits in Metro Manila, Laguna, and other provinces. Bettors could watch live and place wagers through online accounts or accredited agents. The convenience was a game-changer. You no longer had to be at the arena—you could bet from your phone, anytime.

The numbers were staggering. In 2021, e-sabong reportedly contributed over PHP 1 billion in monthly taxes to the government. At its peak, monthly gross gaming revenues reached PHP 5 billion, according to data presented during Senate hearings. For a time, it was the fastest-growing segment of Philippine gambling.

But the rapid growth came with red flags. Reports of kidnappings, disappearances, and financial ruin among bettors began to surface. The most high-profile case involved the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, which sparked public outrage and prompted Senate investigations.

The 2022 Ban and Its Aftermath

In April 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte publicly ordered the suspension of e-sabong operations, citing the social costs. By May 2022, the GAB had officially revoked all e-sabong licenses and ordered operators to stop. The Philippine National Police (PNP) was tasked with enforcing the ban, shutting down pits and arresting violators.

The immediate aftermath was chaotic. Operators scrambled to wind down, while bettors looked for alternative platforms. Some shifted to traditional cockfighting, while others moved to illegal online sites. The government estimated that it lost billions in potential revenues, but officials argued that the social harm outweighed the financial benefits.

In the years that followed, several bills were filed in Congress to either revive e-sabong with stricter regulations or to permanently ban it. As of 2026, none have passed. The House of Representatives and the Senate remain divided on the issue, with some lawmakers pushing for a regulated revival to generate funds for agriculture programs, while others oppose it on moral and social grounds.

“The ban is still in effect. We have not issued any new licenses for e-sabong, and we do not intend to,” a PAGCOR official said in a 2025 statement.

E-Sabong in 2026: Current Status and What It Means for Bettors

Fast-forward to 2026: e-sabong is still illegal. PAGCOR, which now regulates all casino and online gaming operations in the country, has not included e-sabong in its licensed offerings. The GAB, which used to oversee e-sabong, no longer issues permits for it. Any website or app offering live cockfighting bets is operating outside the law.

That hasn't stopped underground operators. Illegal e-sabong sites continue to pop up, often promoted through Facebook groups, Telegram channels, and word-of-mouth. These platforms are unregulated, which means bettors have no legal recourse if they get scammed or if their personal data is compromised. The PNP has conducted sporadic raids, but enforcement is challenging because many operators use offshore servers and cryptocurrency payments.

For Filipino bettors, the risks are clear. First, you could face legal consequences for participating in illegal gambling. Second, you have no protection against fraud. Third, the social harms that led to the ban—addiction, debt, and even violence—remain.

If you're looking for regulated betting options in 2026, stick to PAGCOR-licensed online casinos and sportsbooks. These platforms offer a safer environment with consumer protections, responsible gambling tools, and legal certainty. E-sabong, for now, is a thing of the past—at least legally.