Republic af the Philippines
House of Representatifes

Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

4843

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe, and Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS
BOARD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to strengthen the Games and Amusement Board by
expanding its regulatory powers and supervisory functions over
professional sports, other allied activities, and other forms of amusement.

Created by virtue of Executive Order 120, S-1948, and further
mandated with power and authority over several professional sports and
activities pursuant to different statutes subsequently promulgated or
enacted, the Games and Amusement Board continues to provide
protection to the betting public against illegal betting or bookie joints, and
other forms of organized illegal gambling, while ensuring that professional
sports activities continue to be a stable source of revenue.

With the development of new forms of professional sports like the
Mixed Martial Arts, together with new modes of betting made available
through new technology, it is imperative that we enact measures to
strengthen the powers and duties of the Games and Amusement Board so
that it can continue to fulfill its mandate.

If enacted into law, this proposed measure will provide for an
expanded powers and functions to the Games and Amusement Board
which shall have the authority to enforce all laws relevant to professional
sports, as well as a quasi-judicial power to settle questions, matters and
controversies or disputes in connection to professional sports under its
supervision. Additionally, the Board shall be mandated to have regulatory


and supervisory authority over other formg“of amusement like beauty

pageants and concerts, including maintenahce of theme parks.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sbught.

RO} ; BATOCABE CASTELO


12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19

24
25

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4843

Introduced by Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe, and Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS
BOARD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Games and Amusements
Board Act”.

Section 2. Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following terms
shall have the respective meanings hereafter set forth:

a. Board shall refer to the Games and Amusements Board;

b. Professional sports or competitions shall be understood to mean
individual or team sports, games, contests, bouts, tournaments or
competitions, whereby the participating athletes are paid sums of
money, or other forms of compensation, as salary or prizes for
participation, or those that are conducted by promoters, operators,
leagues, foundations or athletic organizations for profit, provided that
competitions with gate entry fees, television coverage, paid
advertisements or sponsors are presumed to be conducted for profit;

c. Professional athlete shall refer to any natural person who is paid a sum
of money or other equivalent compensation as a salary or prize money
for participating, either as an individual or member of a team, in a
game, bout, tournament or contest of professional sport;

d. Professional boxer or wrestler shall refer to a professional athlete

engaged in boxing or wrestling, respectively;


16

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

27
28
29

30

e. Professional fighter shall refer to a professional athlete engaged in
unarmed contact sports, other than boxing or wrestling, such as mixed
martial arts, thai boxing, muay thai and kickboxing;

f. Purse shall mean the prize, percentage or other remuneration for which

boxing, wrestling or mixed martial arts contestants compete;

g. Cockfighting shall embrace and mean the commonly known game or
term “cockfighting derby, pintakasi or tupada’, or its equivalent terms

in different Philippine localities;

h, Jai-alai or basque pelota game shall include the pelota game with the
use of pala, raqueta, cesta punta, remonte and mano, in which
professional players participate;

i. Fronton comprises the court where basque pelota games are played,
including the adjoining structures used in connection with such games,
such as the betting booths and galleries, totalizator equipment, and the
grandstands where the public is admitted in connection with such

games;
j. Pelotari is a professional player engaged in playing basque pelota;

Section 3. Games and Amusements Board. — Except as otherwise herein
provided, the Games and Amusements Board, created pursuant to Executive
Order No. 392 s. 1951, shall continue to exercise its mandate over professional
sports under Presidential Decree No. 871, boxing and wrestling under Executive
Order No. 120 s. 1948, betting on horseracing under Republic Act No. 309, as
amended, cockfighting under Presidential Decree No. 449 in relation to
Presidential Decree No. 1802, jai-alai or basque pelota games under Executive
Order No. 135 s. 1948, as amended, and anti-illegal gambling under
Administrative Order Nos. 262 s. 1992 and 222 s. 1995.

Section 4. Composition. - The Board shall be composed of a Chairman and two
(2) Commissioners to be appointed by the President and shall be under the

administrative supervision of the Executive Secretary.

CHAPTER II
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS


1

we

10

12
13

14
15

16
17
18

19
20
21

22
23
24

25
26
27
28

29
30

Section 5. Powers and duties over professional sports. -‘The Board shall have
the power to:

a. Supervise and regulate all professional sports in the country including

training exhibitions in connection therewith;

. Enforce all laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,

relating to professional sports;

.. Issue professional sports licenses for all professional athletes, officials,

employees and persons connected with professional sports and collect
fees therefor;

. To supervise the conduct of professional sports officials while in the

performance of their duties as such;

. Issue permits for the holding of professional sports and collect fees

therefor;

Promulgate rules and regulations not inconsistent herewith to govern
the operation and conduct of professional sports;

. Approve or disapprove the rules and regulations issued by persons,

entities or associations relative to the operation and conduct of

professional sports;

. Order the suspension or cancellation of any game in case of violation of

law or non-compliance with the provisions of this act or the rules and
regulations promulgated hereunder;

Order the suspension or cancellation of any game whenever such action
is necessary for the best interest of the professional sports under the
supervision of the Board;

Consider, investigate, decide and settle all questions, matters,
controversies or disputes arising out of or connected with professional
sports under its supervision in accordance with the rules and

procedures it may adopt;

. Summon parties, issue subpoena or require the production of such

books, papers, contracts, records or other documents as may be


i
12
13
14
15
16
17

18
19
20
21
ye

24
25

26
27
28
29
30
31

33

necessary for the just determination and adjudication of any matter

under investigation;

1. Designate any of its officers to conduct hearing or investigation of any
case pending before it in the exercise of its quasi judicial powers under
this Act;

m. Cooperate with local and international professional sports
organizations and attend relevant sports conventions, competitions and

events;

n. Cooperate with organizations engaged in the promotion and control of
amateur and collegiate sports;

©. Appoint personnel as it shall deem necessary in the exercise and
performance of its powers and duties and fix their salaries or
compensation, and/or to employ the services by contract or otherwise,
consultant or any local or foreign expert or technical personnel to
provide technical and necessary assistance, conduct seminars and
training relative to professional sports and pay reasonable emoluments
for their services;

p. Inspect the books, records and accounts of any person, entity or
association conducting or authorized to conduct professional sports
and require that the books and financial or other statement of such
person, entity or association shall be kept in such manner as it may

prescribe;

q. Perform such other duties and exercise all other powers incidental or
necessary for the attainment of the purposes of the Board and proper
enforcement of the provision of this Act.

Section 6. License. - No professional athlete or professional sports official,
regardless of nationality and residence, shall be allowed to engage in professional
sports in the country, whether on a regular, seasonal or one-time basis, without
first obtaining the appropriate professional license from the Board. Such license
may be suspended or revoked in any case where the Board shall have reason to
believe that any of the aforesaid persons is guilty of any dishonest or fraudulent
practice, or has violated any law, decree, executive order, rule or regulation on

professional sports, or for any just cause.


or auns

7
18
19
20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27
28

No person, entity or association shall employ or enter in a contract with any
professional athlete or sports official for the conduct of professional sports
without such athlete or sports official having been duly licensed by the Board.

Section 7. Qualifications. - The Board shall, by regulation, prescribe the
qualifications and requisites which each applicant for a license shall possess. All
professional athletes shall be examined by a Board’s physician, or his duly
authorized representative, who shall certify to both the applicant’s physical and
mental fitness for competition before he is granted a license.

Section 8. Permit. ~It shall be unlawful for any person, entity or association to
conduct professional sports without permit duly issued by the Board. Every
permit issued shall specify the person, entity or association to which it was
issued, the place where and the date when the games are to be held.

Section 9. Assignment of sports officials. — At each professional sport, the Board
shall assign among the duly licensed professional sports officials the referees,
timekeepers, scorers and other officials to officiate thereat and only the officials
so designated shall have authority to perform their respective functions.

Section 10. Duty of person, entity or association conducting professional
games. ~ It shall be the duty of the person, entity or association conducting
professional sports, to see that peace and order is maintained in the premises of
the place where the games are being conducted and that the rules and
regulations governing the same are properly observed.

Section 11. Admission receipts and other income. —‘The Board shall, through its
duly authorized representatives, supervise the sale of admission tickets for any
professional sport. All tickets, except complimentary tickets, shall state the price,
name of person, entity or association conducting the professional sports, team
names and the date of the games printed plainly thereon. No ticket shall be sold
for more than the price as printed thereon and any change in ticket prices or the
date of the games shall be subject to the approval of the Board.

Section 12. Government share. ~ Any person, entity or association conducting
professional sports shall set aside and remit to the Board three per cent (3%) of
the gross gate receipts and income from television, radio and motion picture
rights if any, which shall be available to defray the expenses of the personnel of
the Board assigned to supervise the games and for such other expenses in other

activities of the Board.


eu anewn

16
17
18

19
20
21

22

23
24
25
26

27
28
29
30
31
32

Section 13. Exempt sports. - The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to
competitions held by and under the auspices of national sports associations duly
recognized as such by the Philippine Olympic Committee solely for the
development of the national training pool, or by schools, colleges and universities
for the health and sports development of their students, including inter-school
competitions, or by athletic associations and organizations of schools, colleges
and universities participated in solely by bona fide students of the member

schools, colleges and universities.

CHAPTER III
PROFESSIONAL BOXING AND OTHER CONTACT SPORTS

Section 14, Powers and duties relative to boxing and other contact sports.- All
professional boxing and other contact sports in the Philippines shall be under
the supervision and regulation of the Board. ‘The provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7,
8,9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 shall apply to boxing and other contact sports.

Section 15. The Board shall implement the appropriate measures to be
undertaken before, during and after each fight to ensure the safety of all boxers,
wrestlers and fighters.

Section 16. In addition to medical tests required of professional athletes, the
Board shall require regular Commuted Tomography Scan (CT Scan) of the brain
and where necessary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or such other
additional tests as the Board may in its discretion hereafter require.

Section 17. All government hospitals, laboratories, clinics and medical
installations catering to the public shall provide free annual CT Scans of the
brain to indigent boxers, wrestlers and fighters, upon proper certification by the
Board.

Section 18. Age of contestants.- No contestants under the age of eighteen (18)
years shall be licensed as a professional boxer, wrestler or fighter. The Board
may, under exceptional circumstances, allow a minor to apply for a license and
participate in a professional boxing, wrestling or mixed martial arts match upon
written consent of his parents or in the absence thereof, his court appointed legal
guardian.


aur ene

on

18
19
20

21
22

24
25
26
27

Section 19. Persons prohibited admission.Persons under sixteen (16) years of
age, persons carrying firearms or deadly weapons of any description except
government officials performing their official duties, intoxicated persons, and
persons of disorderly nature and conduct who are apt to disturb peace and order,
shall not be admitted or allowed to remain in and around the premises of the
place where boxing and/or wrestling contest or exhibition is being
conducted: Provided, That persons under sixteen (16) years of age may, when
accompanied by any of their parents or court appointed guardians, be admitted

therein.

Section 20, Licensed physician.- It shall be the duty of every promoter or person
or entity conducting boxing or wrestling contests or exhibitions to have in
attendance at every such contest or exhibition at his or its own expense, a
licensed physician who has had not less than three years’ medical practice,
whose duty shall be to observe the physical condition of the boxers and wrestlers
and advise the referees with regard thereto, and one hour before the contestants
enter the ring, to certify in writing to the Board or its representative as to the
contestants’ physical condition to engage in the contest or exhibition.

Section 21. Rest Period.-All boxers, wrestlers or fighters who participated in a
fight, bout, contest or exhibition shall be required to observe mandatory rest
period before they may be allowed to compete again.

‘The mandatory rest periods shall be at least thirty (30) days: Provided, That if
boxer suffered a knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO) as a result of a body
punch, he/she is required to rest for a minimum of sixty (60) days: Provided
further, That if the KO or TKO is a result of a head punch, he/she shall rest for
a minimum of ninety (90) days: Provided finally, That the rest period may be
extended when the boxer sustained heavy punching or on other instances as the
Board may deem fit upon recommendation of the licensed physician on duty.

Section 22. Foreign ‘TravelBoxers, wrestlers or fighters and their
accompanying managers, trainers, promoters, or their duly authorized
representatives who will travel to, and participate in any foreign boxing
promotion abroad shall secure from the Board an authority or clearance to travel
and fight abroad: Provided, That only boxers who are rated according to the
Board’s rating system shall be permitted or authorized to fight abroad: Provided
further, That a boxer requesting to be a sparring partner for international fight

should be an active 10 rounder.


when

a

30

Section 23. Sham, fake or fraudulent boxing or wrestling contests or exhibitions.-
Any promoter or entity conducting or participating in any sham, fake or
fraudulent boxing or wrestling contest or exhibition shall thereby have his or its
license revoked by the Board; and such promoter or entity shall not thereafter
be entitled to receive another such license.

Section 24. Must file surety bond to guarantee ticket holders.-Any promoter or
entity applying for boxing or wrestling license must furnish a surety bond to the
Board in an amount equivalent to twenty-five per centum (25%) of the total
estimate of receipts from the full seating capacity of the building, stadium or
structure wherein the contest or exhibition is to be held. This surety bond is to
be conditioned for the payment to the Board in any of the following cases.
a. In case of failure to hold the main event contest upon the date
advertised unless the same is thereafter held at a postponed date with
the consent of the Board or its representative; and

b. In case of failure to hold said main event contest at any subsequent
date fixed by the Board or its representative for the holding thereof, The
amount represented by said bond shall be payable within fifteen days
after default to insure reimbursement to the purchasers of tickets for
such contest or exhibition.

Section 25. Must file fifteen per cent bond to guarantee payment of boxers,
wrestlers, officials, etc.-Any promoter or entity applying for a boxing or wrestling
license must furnish an additional surety bond to the Board in an amount
equivalent to fifteen per centum (15%) of the total estimate of receipts from the
full seating capacity of the building, stadium or structure wherein the contest or
exhibition is to be held, to guarantee the payment of the services of boxers,
wrestlers, referees, judges, physician, time-keeper, announcer, and other
persons entitled to such payment as may be determined by the Board.

Section 26. Contracts between promoters, etc, and boxers and wrestlers.-The
Board or its representative shall be furnished by the parties concerned with a
copy of all contracts between promoters or other persons or entities conducting
boxing or wrestling contests or exhibitions, and boxers or wrestlers, their
managers, and other persons who officiate at such contests or exhibitions. Such
copy of the contract shall be filed with the office of the Board or its representative
at least seven days before the contest or exhibition to which the contract relates.

If two or more promoters or entities file disputed claims on the services of a boxer
10


16
17
18
19

25
26
27
28

a3

31
32

or wrestler, the boxer or wrestler concerned shall be automatically suspended
until such claims have been adjusted or legally adjudicated.

Section 27. Payment of contestants.-Payment of purses of contestants shall be
made immediately after the contest or exhibition, or, in case of a percentage
contract, immediately after the percentage is determined by the auditor of the
Board. The promoter or entity conducting the boxing or wrestling contest or
exhibition shall pay, in cash or check, all parties entitled to payment for services
in the presence of an auditor of the Board. The promoter or entity concerned
shall take a receipt for all payments made and give a copy of such receipt to the

representative of the Board.

Section 28, Boxer’s Welfare Fund.- A boxer’s welfare fund shall be established
and managed by the Board for the benefit of boxers who sustained injury or died
in the exercise of their profession, or in such other cases as the Board may deem
fit, unless the disability or death is a result of an unauthorized or illegal boxing

contest.

It shall be mandatory for all professional boxers to contribute and remit to the
fund an amount equivalent to 1% of their purse for each fight, but in no case
shall it exceed P10,000.00. The fund may also include donations and/or

proceeds of fund raising activities as the Board may authorize.

A boxer who suffers permanent partial disability shall be entitled to at least
P5,000.00 for his/her medical expenses, Permanent partial disability shall
include loss of sight, either one or both eyes, permanent broken arm, knuckles,
legs and feet, and other body extremities, and such other injuries as may be
determined by the Board.

A boxer who suffers total disability shall be entitled to at least P10,000.00 for
his/her medical expenses. Total disability shall include brain injury resulting in
incurable imbecility, insanity, or other irreversible conditions, permanent

complete paralysis, and such other injuries as may be determined by the Board.

A boxer who died in the course of or due to the injuries he/she suffered in the
lawful exercise of his/her boxing profession shall be entitled to P15,000.00 as
burial assistance: Provided, That the Board, in its discretion, may extend

additional financial support subject to availability of funds.


own

a

10

12

13
14
15

No double recovery for one and the same injury or incident shall be allowed. A
boxer who died due to injury shall receive only the death benefit hereunder:
Provided, however, That a boxer who suffered disabilities and who subsequently
died shall be entitled to death benefits in addition to the benefits received for
his/her disabilities.

Avwritten notice of sickness, injury, or death shall be filed with the Board by the
boxer or his/her immediate family within seven (7) working days from the date

of the occurrence of the contingency.

The Board shall release the fund to the boxer or his/her immediate family within
three (3) working days after the period of verification: Provided, That the Board
shall prioritize the release of the fund with due consideration of the urgency,

extent or gravity of injury, need and the like.

‘The benefits received herein shall be separate and distinct from, and shall in no
case affect the obligations of the promoter or manager to answer for the medical

or other expenses of the boxer.

CHAPTER IV
BETTING ON HORSERACING

Section 29. Powers and duties relative to horseracing.- The betting aspect of
horseracing shall be under the exclusive supervision of the Board while all other
aspects of the conduct of horse-racing, including the framing and scheduling of
races, the construction and safety of race tracks, the allocation of prizes, and the
security of racing, shall be under the Philippine Racing Commission pursuant to
Presidential Decree No. 420

Section 30. Records of tickets sold. — No person, race-track, racing club, nor
any other entity holding horse-races the crossings of which on any race day
exceed fifty thousand pesos, shall be allowed to hold races, unless such person,
race-track, racing club, or entity is provided with an automatic, electrically-
operated public indicator system and ticket-selling machines, by means of which
every ticket purchased on every horse in any race, shall be automatically and
instantaneously recorded by electrical impulse on a prominently-displayed
bulletin board, each figure, letter, or symbol of which shall be readable from a
distance.


Sowers H ek wH

13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

30
31
32

34
38

Section 31. Track auditors and checkers. — For the purpose of supervising and
verifying the accuracy of reports of any person, race-track, racing club, or any
other entity holding races, with respect to the totalizator receipt or the total
amount of wager made on each racing event, the dividends awarded for winning
horses, whether win, place, or show on each event, and other matters referring
to the financial computations or statements, the Board shall appoint such
number of auditing officers and checkers as may be necessary to be placed in
the offices and tracks of the person, race-track, racing club, or entity concerned.
It shall be the duty of said auditing officers and checkers to report to the Board
any irregularities or erroneous computations, which they may discover in
connection with reports on the totalizator sales or the total sales of wager tickets,
or the dividends awarded on each racing event.

Section 32, Betting. — The face-value of totalizator tickets for wager may be
one peso, two pesos or five pesos, whether for win, place, or show. The face-value
of said tickets, as the case may be, shall be the basis for the computation of
dividends, and such dividends shall be paid after eliminating fractions of ten
centavos: for example, if the resulting dividend is ten pesos and ninety-eight
centavos, the dividend that shall be paid will be only ten pesos and ninety
centavos. If no ticket has been sold on a winning horse, whether for win, place
or show, the dividends corresponding to such race shall be paid out to the
holders of tickets sold on the horses that finished dead heat, or on the horse that
finished next to that on which not a single ticket was sold: Provided, That the
owner of said winning horse shall be entitled to the corresponding stake or prize.

Section 33. Persons prohibited from betting. — Racing clubs, race-tracks,
persons or entities holding horse-races, and their officials, including stewards,
judges, handicappers, jockeys and starters shall not be permitted to participate
directly or indirectly, in the betting on races conducted in their own race-tracks;
and members of the Board, including officials and employees of such Board, on

any race.

Section 34. Persons prohibited admission. — Minors under eighteen years of
age, except when accompanied by their parents or guardians, persons carrying
deadly weapons or firearms of any description, except peace officers or officials
of the race-track or racing club or of the Board, in the performance of their official
functions, and intoxicated persons, shall not be admitted or allowed to remain
in a race-track during a racing day. Minors shall in no case be allowed to bet or

13


Sowmyrd sw» ew

12
13
14
15
16
17

18

20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

30
BI
32

34
=
36

to purchase wager tickets for others; and minors under fifteen years of age shall

in no case be allowed admission in any race track.

Section 35. Hour of running daily-double races; posting of ticket sales. — The
time for the running of the first race of any daily-double event shall be
determined by the Board depending upon the circumstances surrounding each
racing-day which shall be announced to the public by the person, race-track,
racing club, or entity holding the races through loudspeakers at the time of the
selection of the races constituting the daily-double event, and the second race
thereof shall be run not later than forty-five minutes after the first race. The sale
of tickets for the daily-double races shall be allowed after the Board or its
authorized representatives has announced to the public the two races
constituting each daily-double event. The number of tickets sold on each horse
in the two races of each daily-double event and the totals thereof shall be posted
at conspicuous bulletin boards. This information shall also be given to the public
through loudspeakers. The closing of the sale of tickets for each event shall be
properly announced by the ringing of a bell after which no more tickets shall be
sold.

Section 36. Distribution of receipts. — The total wager funds or gross receipts
from the sale of pari-mutuel tickets shall be apportioned as follows: eighty-seven
and one-half per centum shall be distributed in the form of dividends among
holders of win, place and show horses, as the case may be, in the regular races;
twelve and one-half per centum shall be set aside as the commission of the
person, race-track, racing club, or any other entity conducting the races, which
shall include the amounts for the payment of authorized stakes or prizes for win,
place and show horses, and authorized bonuses for jockeys; and in the case of
daily-double races, the gross receipts derived from the total sale of daily-double
tickets shall be apportioned in the same manner as provided hereinabove, except
that the eighty-seven and one-half per centum of the gross receipts from the
total sale of daily-double tickets shall be distributed in the form of dividends
among the holders of the winning combination of horses, that is, the two horses
that won first place in the two races, instead of among holders of win, place and
show horses, as in the case of regular races: Provided, however, That of the twelve
and one-half per centum representing the commission of the person, race-track,
racing club, or any other entity holding horse-racing an amount equivalent to
one-half per centum of the total wager funds or gross receipts from the sale of

tickets shall be set aside and turned over by the person, race-track, racing club,

14


wk wD

Seocwrxa

12
13
4

18
19
20

21

22
23
24
25

26
27
28

29
30

31
32

or any other entity holding horse-racing as a special fund to the Board to cover
its expenses and such other purposes authorized under this Act. Any
unexpended balance of this fund at the end of each year in excess of ten
thousand pesos shall be turned over to the Bureau of Animal Industry to be used

by the latter exclusively for the promotion of horse-breeding in the Philippines.

Section 37. Books, records and accounts. — The Board or its duly authorized
representative shall have the power to inspect at all times the books, records and
accounts of any person, race-track, racing club, or any other entity holding
horse-racing. It may require that the books and financial or other statements of
such person, race-track, racing club, or other entity holding horse-racing shall
be kept in such manner as it may prescribe.

Section 38, Unclaimed Dividends. - All winning prizes or dividends unclaimed
by the winners within sixty (60) days from the date of the race shall be forfeited

in favor of the government.

CHAPTER V

COCKFIGHTING

Section 39. Powers and Functions relative to Cockfighting. — Except as
otherwise devolved to the local governments pursuant to the Local Government
Code, the supervision, regulation, and control of all aspects of cockfighting shall
be under the Board. The Board shall have the power to:

a, To promulgate rules and regulations relative to the holding, methods,
procedures, operations and conduct of cockfighting in general as well
as accreditation of cockpit personnel and association of cockpit owners,
operators and lessees, to elevate the standard of cockfighting;

b. To establish uniform rules and regulations to govern actual
cockfighting enforceable in all cockpits in the Philippines and to provide
sanctions for violations thereof;

c. To supervise and regulate the conduct of international derbies and to

collect fees therefor;

d. To supervise and regulate the livestreaming or broadcasting of

cockfights and to collect fees therefor;


Ce as

17
18
19

Si

Prescribe policy guidelines for the issuance of permits by the Bureau of
Animals Industry for the importation or entry of gamecocks into the
country for breeding or competition purposes;

‘To promulgate its own rules and procedures relative to the conduct of

its own business;

To deputize any government office, entity, agency and public officer in
the implementation of all laws, decrees, letters of instructions, general
orders pertinent to cockfighting and rules and regulations issued by
the Board;

To initiate, undertake, hear and decide any investigation for any
violation of this Decree, rules and regulations of the Board and in
connection therewith, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum;

To establish regional offices in such number and location as it will
allow it to perform the duties stated herein;

To perform such other functions as may be authorized by law.

Section 40. Cockpits and Cockfighting. — In General:

a.

Ownership, Operation and Management of Cockpits. Only Filipino
citizens not otherwise inhibited by existing laws shall be allowed to own,
manage and operate cockpits. Cooperative capitalization is encouraged.

Establishment of Cockpits. Only one cockpit shall be allowed in each
city or municipality, except that in cities or municipalities with a
population of over one hundred thousand, two cockpits may be
established, maintained and operated.

Cockpits Site and Construction. Cockpits shall be constructed and
operated within the appropriate areas as prescribed in Zoning Law or
Ordinance. In the absence of such law or ordinance, the local
executives shall see to it that no cockpits are constructed within or near
existing residential or commercial areas, hospitals, school buildings,
churches or other public buildings. Owners, lessees, or operators of
cockpits which are now in existence and do not conform to this _
requirement are given three years from the date of effectivity of this Act
to comply herewith. Approval or issuance of building permits for the

16


15
16
17
18

19
20
21
‘ee:
23

24
25
26
27

28
28
30

31

construction of cockpits shall be made by the city or provincial engineer
in accordance with their respective building codes, ordinances or

engineering laws and practices;

d. Holding of Cockfights. Cockfighting shall be allowed only in licensed
cockpits during Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays and
during local fiestas for not more than three days. It may also be held
during provincial, city or municipal, agricultural, commercial or
industrial fair, carnival or exposition for a similar period of three days
upon resolution of the province, city or municipality where such fair,
carnival or exposition is to be held, Provided, further, that no
cockfighting shall be held on December 30 (Rizal Day), June 12
(Philippine Independence Day) November 30 (National Heroes Day),
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Election or Referendum Day and during
Registration Days for such election or referendum.

e. Other games during cockfights proscribed. No gambling of any kind shall
be permitted on the premises of the cockpit or place of cockfighting
during cockfights. The owner, manager or lessee off such cockpit and
the violators of this injunction shall be criminally liable.

Section 41. Cockfighting Officials. — Gaffers, referees or bet takers or promoters
shall not act as such in any cockfight herein authorized, without first securing
a license renewable every year on their birth month from the city or municipality
where such cockfighting is held. The Board shall maintain a register of all such

gaffers, referees or bet takers.

Section 42. For each cockfighting event, there shall be collected from the cockpit
operator an amount equivalent to 3% of all gate receipts collected at the entrance
gates. The cockpit operator shall also pay the equivalent of 3% of all plazada it
collects from every cockfight.

Section 43. Every operator engaged in the livestreaming or broadcasting of
cockfight shall pay to GAB the equivalent of 3% of gross bets made in authorized
off-cockpit betting stations or through internet betting.

CHAPTER VI

JAI ALAI


1
2

17
18
19
20

21
22

23

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Section 44. Powers and Functions relative to jai-alai. — The Board shall have

the power to:

te

. The Board shall exercise supervision over the establishment,

maintenance and operation of frontons and basque pelota games by

entities with the appropriate franchise;

. Promulgate rules and regulations relative to the holding, methods,

procedures, operations and conduct of jai-alai;

. License pelotaris and all jai-alai personnel;

. To supervise and regulate the livestreaming or broadcasting of jai-alai

games and to collect fees therefor;

. To promulgate its own rules and procedures relative to the conduct of

its own business;

To deputize any government office, entity, agency and public officer in
the implementation of all laws, decrees, letters of instructions, general
orders pertinent to jai-alai and rules and regulations issued by the
Board;

. To initiate, undertake, hear and decide any investigation for any

violation of this act, rules and regulations of the Board and in
connection therewith, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum
and ad testificandum;

. To perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be necessary

or incidental to achieve the objectives of this Act;

To perform such other functions as may be authorized by law.

Section 45. Buildings, sanitary and parking requirements. — No permit or

license for the construction or operation of a basque pelota fronton shall be

issued without proper certificate of the provincial or city engineer and architect
certifying to the suitability and safety of the building and of the district or city
health officer certifying to the sanitary condition of said building. The city or

municipal mayor may, in his discretion and as circumstances may warrant,

require that the fronton be provided with sufficient space for parking so that the

public roads and highways be not used for such purposes.

18


we

aawe

16
17
18
19
20

Section 46. Protest and complaint. — Any person who believes that any basque
pelota fronton is located or established in any place not authorized herein or is
being operated in violation of any provision of this Order may file a protest or
complaint with the city or municipal mayor concerned, and after proper
investigation of such complaint the city or municipal mayor may take such
action as he may consider necessary. Any decision rendered on the matter by
the city or municipal mayor shall be appealable to the Secretary of the Interior.

Section 47. Persons prohibited admission. — Persons under 16 years of age,
persons carrying firearms or deadly weapons of any description, except
government officials actually performing their official duties therein, intoxicated
persons, and persons of disorderly nature and conduct who are apt to disturb
peace and order, shall not be admitted or allowed in any basque pelota fronton:
Provided, That persons under 16 years of age may, when accompanied by their
parents or guardians, be admitted therein but in no case shall such minors be
allowed to bet.

Section 48, Gambling prohibited. — No card games or any of the prohibited
games shall be permitted within the premises of any basque pelota fronton; and
upon satisfactory evidence that the operator or entity conducting the game has
tolerated the existence of any prohibited game within its premises, the city or
municipal mayor may take the necessary action.

Section 49. Revocation or suspension of permits and licenses. — The city or
municipal mayor, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior and
Local Government, may suspend or revoke any license granted under this Act to
any basque pelota fronton or to any official or employee thereof, for violation of
any of the rules and regulations provided in this Order or those which said city
or municipal mayor may prescribe, or for any just cause. Such suspension or
revocation shall operate to forfeit to the city or municipality concerned all sums
paid therefor.

Section 50. Books, records and accounts. — The Board, or his duly authorized
representative, shall have the power to inspect at all times the books, records,
and accounts of any basque pelota fronton. He may, in his discretion and as the
circumstances may warrant, require that the books and financial or other
statements of the person or entity operating the game be kept in such manner

as he may prescribe.

19


Section 51. Pelotaris, judges, referees, etc. shall be licensed. — No person or
entity operating a basque pelota fronton, wherein games are played with betting,
shall employ any pelotari, judge or referee, superintendent of games (intendente),
or any other official whose duties are connected with the operation or supervision
of the games, unless such person has been duly licensed by the city or municipal
mayor concerned. Such license shall be granted upon satisfactory proof that the
applicant is in good health, knows the rules and usages of the game, and is a
person of good moral character and of undoubted honesty. In the case of
pelotaris, such license shall be granted only upon the further condition that they
are able to play the game with reasonable skill and with safety to themselves and
to their opponents. The city or municipal mayor may further require other
reasonable qualifications for applicants to a license, not otherwise provided

herein. Such license shall be obtained yearly.

Section 52. Installation of automatic electric totalizator. — Any person or entity
operating a fronton wherein betting in any form is allowed shall install in its
premises within the period of one year from the date this Order takes effect, an
automatic electrically operated indicator system and ticket selling machine,
commonly known as totalizator, which shall clearly record each ticket purchased
on every player in any game, the total number of tickets sold on each event, as
well as the dividends that correspond to holders of winning numbers. This
requirement shall, however, not apply to double events or forecast pools or to
any betting made on the basis of a combination or grouping of players until a
totalizator that can register such bets has been invented and placed on the

market.

Section 53. Supervision over sale of betting tickets and payment of dividends. —
For the purpose of verifying the accuracy of reports in connection with the sale
of betting tickets and the computation of dividends awarded to winners on each
event, as well as other statements with reference to the betting in the games
played, the city or municipal mayor shall assign such number of auditing officers
and checkers as may be necessary for the purpose. These auditing officers and
checkers shall be placed in the ticket selling booths, dividend computation
booths and such other parts of the fronton, where betting tickets are sold and
dividends computed. It shall be their duty to check up and correct any
irregularity or any erroneous report or computation that may be made by officials,
of the fronton, in connection with the sale of tickets and the payment of

dividends.


aauwse on

25
26
27
28
29
30

Section 54. Wager tickets and dividends. — The face value of the wager tickets
for any event shall not exceed P5 whether for “win” or “place”, or for any
combination or grouping of winning numbers. The face value of said tickets, as
the case may be, shall be the basis for the computation of the dividends and
such dividends shall be paid after eliminating fractions of ten centavos (P0.10);
for example: if the resulting dividend is P10.43, the dividend that shall be paid
will be only P10,40.

Section 55. Distribution of wager funds. — The total wager funds or gross
receipts from the sale of the betting tickets shall be apportioned as follows: a
commission not exceeding ten and one-half per centum (10 % %) on the total
bets on each game or event shall be set aside for the person or entity operating
the fronton and four and one-half per centum (4 ¥% %) of such bets shall be
covered into the National Treasury for disposition as may be authorized by law
or executive order; and the balance or eighty-five per centum (85%) of the total
bets shall be distributed in the form of dividends among holders of “win” or
“place” numbers or holders of the winning combination or grouping of numbers,
as the case may be: Provided, however, That of the ten and one-half per centum
(10 % %) representing the commission of the person or entity operating the
fronton, an amount equivalent to one-half per centum (14%) of the total bets or
wager funds shall be set aside and made available to cover the expenses of the
personnel assigned to supervise the operation of basque pelota games and
frontons, including payment of salaries of such personnel, purchase of necessary
equipment and other sundry expenses as may be authorized by competent

authority.

Section 56. Supervision over the conduct of games; enforcement of rules and
regulations. — The city or municipal mayor is authorized to place within the
premises of the fronton such number of inspectors and agents as may be deemed
necessary to supervise the conduct of the games, to see that the rules of the
games are strictly enforced, and to carry out the provisions of this Order as well
as such other regulations as may hereafter be prescribed.

Section 57. Rules governing the games and personnel of the fronton. — The rules
and regulations that have been adopted by any fronton to govern the operation
of its games and the behavior, duties and performance of the officials and
personnel connected therewith, such as pelotaris, judges, referees or
superintendents of games (intendentes) and others, shall be the recognized rules

and regulations of such fronton until the same are altered or repealed by the
21


RwWN

6

10
i
12

13

15
16

18
Te:
20
21

22
23
24

25

26

bp

28
29
30
31

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and any fronton may introduce
any type or form of games or events, provided they are not contrary to the
provisions of this Order or any rule or regulation hereafter issued by the
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

Section 58. Regulations governing pelotaris. — Any rule or regulation adopted
by any established fronton governing the conduct or performance of pelotaris to

the contrary notwithstanding, the following regulations shall be observed:

a. ‘The pelotaris who are participating in the games shall not be allowed to
communicate, talk or make signs with anyone in the public or with any
official or employee of the fronton during the games, except with the
judges or referees or the superintendent (intendente) in charge of the
games;

b. The program of games or events, as well as the line-up or order of
playing of the pelotaris in each event shall be determined by the
superintendent of the games (intendente), subject to the approval of the

city or municipal mayor, or his authorized representatives;

c. Pelotaris shall be in good physical condition before participating in any
game and shall be laid off from playing at least two days in a week.
Every pelotari shall once a month secure a medical certificate from a
government physician to be designated by the city or municipal mayor
concerned certifying to his physical fitness to engage in the games; and

d. The amount of dividends computed for any event shall not be posted
within the view of the pelotaris participating in the event until after the
termination of said event.

CHAPTER VII
OTHER FORMS OF AMUSEMENTS

Section 59. Supervision and regulation. - The supervision and regulation of
actors or actresses in theatre, television, film, radio or any other medium for
purposes of amusement, the conduct of beauty pageants and concerts and the
maintenance of theme parks shall be vested in the Board.


22

23
24
25
26
oy

28

29

30

Section 60. Collection of fees. - The Board shall license persons or entities
engaged in other forms of amusements, issue permits for the conduct and/or
maintenance thereof and collect fees therefor.

CHAPTER VIII
ANTI -ILLEGAL GAMBLING UNIT

Section 61. Composition. - ‘There shall be created an Anti -Illegal Gambling Unit
(AIGU) attached to the Board which is tasked to combat and prevent the
existence and proliferation of illegal bookie joints and other illegal forms of
organized gambling in professional sports and amusement games. It shall be

composed of the following:

a. Organic Personnel to be appointed by the Chairman of the Board;
b. Detailed Personnel to be drawn from the following:

b.

. Philippine National Police;

b.2. National Bureau of Investigation;

b.3. Philippine Racing Commission;

b.4. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office;

b.5. Other Agencies involved in Gaming Operations;

b.6, Other Law enforcement Agencies of the Government.

Section 62. Powers, Duties and Functions. ~ In addition to its existing powers
and functions, the GAB -AIGU shall monitor the status of arrests made to ensure
that the suspects are criminally prosecuted, The Chairman of the Board shall
submit a quarterly report on the operations of the GAB -AIGU to the Executive
Secretary.

CHAPTER IX

FINAL PROVISIONS


10

12
13
14

Section 63. Appeals.-Any action taken by the Board may be appealed to the
Office of the President whose decision shall be final.

Section 64. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Board shall, within
ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules and

regulations necessary to implement this Act.

Section 65, Separability Clause, — If any part or provision of this Act shall be
held to be unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 66. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act

are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 67. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,

24