A plain-language look at the e-sabong ban, built only from official texts: what EO No. 9 suspends, what remains legal, and what PAGCOR’s 2022 lists do and don’t mean.
Short answer: no, online sabong is suspended
As of 4 November 2026, e-sabong remains suspended nationwide. A nationwide suspension took effect on 3 May 2022. On 28 December 2022, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 9, which orders that “all E-Sabong operations, including all auxiliary E-Sabong operations, shall continue to be suspended nationwide.” We checked the official texts and found no later order that lifts it.
Timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Presidential Decree No. 449 (Cockfighting Law of 1974) sets the rules for licensed cockpits. | PD 449 |
| Before 2022 | PAGCOR issues a Regulatory Framework for E-Sabong, including off-cockpit betting stations. | PAGCOR, EO 9 recitals |
| 3 May 2022 | Nationwide suspension of e-sabong operations. | EO 9 recitals |
| 28 Dec 2022 | EO No. 9 continues the suspension and orders a crackdown on illegal e-sabong. | EO 9 |
| 2023 to 2026 | Police operations against illegal online sabong continue; no order lifting the suspension has been issued. | Our review of official sources |
What exactly EO No. 9 suspends
- Live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside cockpits, arenas or the premises where the fights are held.
- Online, remote or off-cockpit wagering on streamed or broadcast cockfights, wherever the betting platform is located, including platforms set up inside a cockpit.
The EO directs PAGCOR to coordinate implementation with local governments, and the DILG and PNP to help and act against violators.
What is still legal: licensed physical cockpits
EO No. 9 states that “the operations of traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws shall not be covered” by the suspension. Under PD 449, city and municipal mayors license cockpits, generally one per city or municipality (two where the population is over 100,000). Cockfights are allowed in licensed cockpits on Sundays, legal holidays and local fiestas (up to three days), and during certain fairs. Unlicensed cockfights, the classic tupada, are illegal, and PD 1602 sets stiffer penalties for illegal cockfighting.
What PAGCOR’s e-sabong page shows
PAGCOR still hosts an E-Sabong regulatory page. Its framework and the lists of licensed operators and auxiliary operators are dated April 2022, before the suspension. Those 2022 lists do not mean anyone is allowed to run online sabong today. Any site or Facebook page claiming a current “PAGCOR e-sabong licence” is misleading you.
What about sabong apps and Facebook “live” pages?
If a page streams cockfights and takes bets through GCash, Maya or an agent, it is doing exactly what EO No. 9 suspends, no matter what it calls itself (“derby live”, “sabong international”, “e-manok”). Beyond the legal risk, there’s no regulator to complain to when your money vanishes. See our guide to e-sabong scam warning signs.
Related
- Sabong history, culture and a glossary of terms
- How to verify a PAGCOR-licensed site
- Safe play guides
Frequently asked questions
Is e-sabong legal in the Philippines in 2026?
No. E-sabong has been suspended nationwide since 3 May 2022, and Executive Order No. 9 (28 December 2022) continues that suspension. We found no order lifting it as of 4 November 2026.
Is cockfighting itself illegal?
No. Traditional cockfights in cockpits licensed under existing law, mainly PD 449 and local permits, are expressly not covered by the suspension. Unlicensed tupada is illegal.
Does PAGCOR still license e-sabong operators?
PAGCOR's e-sabong page still shows lists dated April 2022, before the suspension. Under EO No. 9, all e-sabong operations remain suspended.
Who enforces the e-sabong ban?
PAGCOR coordinates with local governments, with help from the DILG and the PNP, under Section 2 of EO No. 9.
About this article
Written by the GTAYA Editorial Team; reviewed 2026-11-04. We read the full text of EO No. 9 and PD 449 and PAGCOR’s e-sabong page on 2026-11-04. This is general information, not legal advice.
Our guides are researched from official sources (PAGCOR, BSP, Philippine law) and reviewed before publishing. Rules that vary by table are flagged.
