Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3525

House Bill No.

introduced by Representative ERIC R. BUHAIN

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

House Bill No. 8910, entitled, “An Act Strengthening the Games and Amusements
Board and for other Purposes”, was unanimously approved on its third and final reading
during the 17" Congress. The intent being to strengthen its regulatory powers and
supervisory functions over professional sports, professional boxing and other contact
sports, horse racing, cockfighting jai-alai and other forms of amusements.

At present, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) functions through various Executive
Orders, Presidential Decrees and Republic Acts scattered to address various professional
sports and play-for-pay sports and amusement games.

Passage of this bill will ensure a more defined regulatory and supervisory function for GAB
on various professional sports and other amusement games, thereby guaranteeing an
orderly, fair and honest conduct of games. It will likewise protect the interest of our
professional athletes and the betting public against illegal gambling and ensure a stable
revenue generation from professional sports and amusement games.

in view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is strongly sought.

Bf RE.
ERIC R. BOHAIN
Representative
First District of Batangas


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

No. 3929

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC R. BUHAIN

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 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

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

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a. Cockfighting shall refer to the commonly known game or term
“cockfighting derby, pintakasi or sabong,” or its equivalent terms in
different Philippine localities;

b. Contact sports shall refer to sports, games, or competitions, other than
boxing and wrestling, that involve permissible degree of physical contact,
such as, but is not limited to, punching, striking, grappling, or any other
combat technique that is allowed under the rules, between the
participants or opponents;

c. Fronton shall refer to 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;

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

e. Pelotari shall refer to a professional player engaged in playing basque pelota;

f. 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: Provided, that it shall not
include those who are paid “token amounts” or its equivalent as salary, prize,
or compensation;

g. Professional boxer or wrestler shall refer to a professional athlete
engaged in boxing or wrestling, respectively;

h. 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;

Professional sports or competitions shall refer to individual or team sports,
games, contest, 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, owners or leagues, foundations or
athletic societies for profit: Provided, That competitions with gate entry
fees, television coverage, paid advertisements or sponsors are presumed
to be conducted for profit: Provided further, That it shall not include
competitions held by and under the auspices of national sports associations
dulyrecognized as such by the Philippine Sports Commission, solely
for the development of the national training pool, or under the auspices
of schools, colleges and universities, for the health and sports development
of their students, including inter-school competitions, or athletic
associations or organizations of schools, colleges and universities
participated in solely by bona fide students of the member schools,
colleges and universities: Provided finally, That it shall not include



competitions whereby the participating athletes are paid “token
amounts” or its equivalent as salary, prize, or compensation;

j. Purse shall refer to prize, percentage or other remuneration for which
boxing, wrestling or mixed martial arts contestants compete;

k. Special Armed Combat shall refer to fights that involve the limited
use of traditional or cultural fighting implements such as arnis and
other non-bladed weapons involved in Filipino Martial Arts (FMA); and

|. Token amount shall refer to the money or prizes the value of which
shall be determined by the Board from time to time.

SECTION 3. Games and Amusements Board. - The Games and
Amusements Board, hereinafter referred to as the GAB, shall be attached to the
Office of the President for policy and program coordination, Except as
otherwise herein provided, the GAB, created pursuant to Executive Order No.
392 (s.*1951), entitled: “Further Reorganizing the Different Executive
Departments, Bureaus, Offices and Agencies of the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines, Making Certain Readjustments of Personnel and
Re-allotments of Funds In Connection Therewith, and For Other Purposes,”
shall continue to exercise its mandate over professional sports under
Presidential Decree No. 871, entitled: “Placing Professional Basketball Games
and Other Professional Games Under the Supervision and Regulation of the
Games and Amusements Board,” boxing and wrestling under Executive
Order No. 120(s. 1948), entitled: “Regulating Boxing and Wrestling Contests
or Exhibitions,” betting on Horse Racing under Republic Act No. 309, entitled:
“An Act to Regulate Horse Racing in the Philippines,” as amended, cockfighting
under Presidential Decree No. 449, also known as the Cockfighting Law of 1974,
in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1802, entitled: “Creating the Philippine
Gamefowl Commission,” jai-alai or basque pelota games under Executive order
No. 135 (s. 1948), entitled: “Regulating the Establishment, Maintenance,
and Operation of Frontons and Basque Pelota Games (Jai Alai),”as amended,
and anti-lllegal gambling under Administrative Order Nos, 262 (s. 1992), entitled:
“Creating the GAB Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit of the Games and Amusements
Board,” and Administrative Order No. 222 (s. 1995), entitled: “Strengthening the
Operations of the Anti-illegal Gambling Unit of the Games and Amusement
Board.”

SECTION 4. Composition of GAB. - The GAB shall be composed of a Chairman


and two (2) Commissioners to be appointed by the President. The Chairman shall be
the executive officer and shall manage the day-to-day operations of the agency.

SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of GAB, - The GAB, sitting as 2 collegial body,
shall have the following powers and functions:

a) Rule-Making Power. — The GAB shall be the policy making body of the agency.
it shall have the power to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the
implementation of this Act and the accomplishment of its purposes and

objectives;

b) Quasi-Judicial Power. ~The GAB shall have the power to hear and decide any

matter, controversy, OF dispute arising from this Act, including the authority:

1. To promulgate its own rules of procedure for the speedy disposition
of cases before it;

2. To designate any of its officers to conduct hearing or investigation of
any case pending before it;

3. To summon parties, issue subpoena or require the production of
such books, papers, contracts, records or other documents as may be
necessary for the just determination and adjudication of any
matter under investigation;

4. To impose administrative sanctions and fines;

5. Togrant requests for provisional remedies;

6. To conduct mediation, conciliation, arbitration or ‘other modes of settling
disputes; and

7. To perform such other duties and exercise other powers incidental to
or necessary to the exercise of its quasi-judicial powers.

¢) Appeal. — All actions of the GAB in the exercise of its quasi-judicial power shall
be appealable to the Court of Appeals.

d) Other Powers. — The GAB shall likewise have the authority to:


1. Cooperate with local and international professional sports organizations
or regulatory bodies and attend relevant sports conventions,
competitions and events;

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

3. Appoint personnel as it shall deem necessary in the exercise and
performance of its powers and duties, 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 and pay reasonable emoluments for their
services;

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

5. Perform such other duties and exercise ail other powers incidental
or necessary for the attainment of the purposes of the Board and
proper enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

CHAPTER II
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

A. General Provisions.

SECTION 6. Powers and Duties Over All Professional Sports and Athletes. —
The GAB shall have the power to:

a) Supervise and regulate all professional sports in the country including
training exhibitions in connection therewith;

b) Supervise and regulate new and emerging professional sports in the
country including competitive computer/video gaming and other
professional racing sports;

c) Enforce all laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,


relating to professional sports;

d) Issue professional sports licenses for all professional athletes, officials,
employees and persons connected with professional sports and collect fees

therefor;

e) 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;

Help in the preservation of Filipino Martial Arts by issuing licenses and
permits for special Armed Combat under strict terms and conditions the
GAB may deem fit, with due regard to the safety of the fighters;

8)

h) Approve or disapprove, based on the minimum standards set by the GAB, the
rules and regulations issued by persons, entities or associations relative to the

operation and conduct of professional sports;

i) Order the suspension or cancellation of any game in case of violation of
law ornon-compliance with the provisions of this Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated hereunder or whenever such action is necessary
for the best interest of the professional sports under the supervision of
GAB;

Consider, investigate, hear and decide 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;

k) Primary jurisdiction to hear and decide internal disputes of professional

sports leagues and organizations;

1) Adjudicate the claims between and among athletes, managers,
promoters, and other persons connected with professional sports, arising
out of and in accordance with their contract and award damages;

m) Impose administrative sanctions and fines to erring athletes, boxers,
fighters, promoters, managers, referees and other professional licensees of
the GAB;


n) Investigate game-fixing, point shaving and similar machinations in
professional sports and cause the filing of appropriate cases against the
parties involved;

0) 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;

p) Require any promoter or entity applying for a permit to conduct
professional sports, contests or exhibitions to furnish the GAB with a cash
or surety bond, inan 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 where the contest or exhibition is to be held,
to answer for the following obligations in the order named:

i. Government share as provided for in Section 13;

ii, Reimbursement of tickets when so ordered by the GAB;

iii, Guarantee payment of services and prizes to competitors and
games Officials.

q) Prescribe minimum standards for contracts between professional
athletes and their managers, including their sharing in the purse or prize
money, if any, and require the same to be registered with and approved
by the GAB;

Require the parties concerned to furnish the GAB with a copy of all
contracts between promoters or other persons or entities conducting
professional sports, contests or exhibitions, and professional athletes,
their managers, and other persons who officiate at such sports, contests
or exhibitions, at least seven (7) days before the sports, contest or
exhibition to which the contract relates;

)

s) Require the promoter or entity conducting the professional sports,
contests or exhibitions to pay immediately after such sports, contest or
exhibition, or, in case of a percentage contract, immediately after the
percentage is determined by the auditor of the GAB, in cash or check, the
prizes, purses, compensation or other remuneration of professional

athletes, contestants, and all other persons entitled to payment, and to


furnish the Board or its authorized representative with a copy of the
receipt for such payment; and

t) Perform such other duties and exercise all other powers incidental or
necessary for the attainment pf the purposes of the Board and proper
enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 7. License. - No professional athlete, professional sports official
or person connected with professional sports, 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 GAB. Such license may be suspended
or revoked in any case where the GAB 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.

No person, entity or association shall employ or enter into 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
GAB.

SECTION 8. Qualifications. — The GAB shall, by regulation, prescribe the
qualifications and requisites which each applicant for a license shall possess. All
professional athletes shall be examined by a GAB physician, or the physician’s duly
authorized representative, who shall certify to both the applicant's physical and mental
fitness for competition before he is granted a license.

SECTION 9. Permit. — It shall be unlawful for any person, entity or association
to conduct professional sports without permit duly issued by the GAB. 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 10. Assignment of Sports Officials. — At each professional sport, the
GAB 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 11. 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 12. Admission Receipts and Other Income. — The GAB 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 GAB.

SECTION 13. Government Share. — Any person, entity or association
conducting professional sports shall set aside and remit to the GAB three per cent
(3%) of the gross gate receipts and income from television, radio, motion
picture rights, and other forms of streaming or broadcasting using advanced
technology and other electronic media, if any, which shall be available to defray
the expenses of the personnel of the GAB assigned to supervise the games and
for such other expenses in other activities of the GAB.

SECTION 14. Submission of Copies of Contracts. - All persons, leagues,
corporations and entities involved in professional sports shall submit to the GAB
copies of all their contracts with radio and television networks or with entities
engaged in other forms of streaming or broadcasting of professional sports using
advanced technology and other electronic media, within ten (10) days from
execution of the same.

SECTION 15. 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.

SECTION 16. Foreign Travel, — To ensure safety and welfare of licensees,
the GAB may require athletes, officials, or other licensees who will travel abroad
to participate in any sports tournaments, games or competitions to secure from


the GAB an authority or clearance to travel and compete abroad: Provided, That
this requirement shall be mandatory for boxers or fighters and their
accompanying managers, trainers, promoters, or their duly authorized
representatives who will travel to, and participate in any foreign boxing
promotion or other contact sports competition abroad.

B. Professional Boxing and other Contact Sports.

SECTION 17. Measures to be Undertaken Before, During, and After Each
Match. - The GAB shall implement the appropriate measures to be undertaken
before, during and after each match of boxing or contact sports to ensure the
safety of all boxers, wrestlers and fighters.

SECTION 18. Medical Tests. - In addition to medical tests required by the GAB,
the GAB shall also require regular Commuted Tomography Scan (CT-Scan) of the
brain and when necessary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or such other
additional tests as the GAB may inits discretion hereafter require.

All government hospitals, laboratories, clinics and medical installations
catering to the public shall provide free annual CT-Scans of the brain or MRI,
when necessary, to indigent boxers, wrestlers and fighters, upon proper
certification by the GAB.

SECTION 19. Age of Contestants. — No contestant under the age of eighteen
(18) years shall be licensed as a professional boxer, wrestler or fighter. The GAB
may, under exceptional circumstances, allow a minor, but not less than sixteen (16)
years of age, to apply for a license and participate in a professional boxing, wrestling
‘or mixed martial arts match upon written consent of the minor's parents or inthe
absence thereof, the court appointed legal guardian.

SECTION 20. Persons Prohibited from Admission. — Persons under sixteen (16)
years of age, persons carrying firearms or deadly weapons of any description, except
government officials in the performance of their official functions, 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, wrestling or other contact sport 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 21. Licensed Physician. — It shall be the duty of every promoter or
person or entity conducting boxing, wrestling or contact sports contests or
exhibitions to have in attendance at every such contest or exhibition at their
expense, a licensed physician who has had not less than three years of medical
practice, whose duty shall be to observe the physical condition of the boxers,
wrestlers and fighters, and advise the referees with regard thereto, and one hour
before the contestants enter the ring, to certify in writing to the GAB or its
representative the contestants’ physical condition to engage in the contest or
exhibition.

SECTION 22. Rest Period, — in older to protect the health and safety of boxers,
wrestlers or fighters, the GAB shall, by regulation, provide for mandatory rest
periods for such boxers, wrestlers or fighters who participated in a fight, bout,
contest or exhibition before they may be allowed to compete again.

C. Athletes' Welfare Fund.

SECTION 23. — Establishment of Athletes' Welfare Fund. — The Athletes’ Welfare
Fund shall be established and managed by the GAB for the benefit of athletes who
sustain injuries or die in the exercise of their profession, or in such other cases
as the GAB may deem fit, except if the disability or death is a result of an
unauthorized or illegally-conducted professional sports activity.

The GAB shall develop a program for immediate financial and medical
assistance to deserving indigent athletes suffering from injuries and
emergencies related to their profession.

The Athlete's Welfare Fund shall be constituted from one percent (1%) of
all receipts and income of the GAB.

The GAB shall likewise be authorized to receive in trust any donation,
endowment or contribution to the athletes’ welfare fund.

CHAPTER Ill
BETTING ON HORSE RACING

SECTION 24. Powers and Duties Relative to Horse Racing. — The betting
aspect of horse racing including betting through off-track betting (OTB)
stations or through the use of the telephone, the internet and other
electronic means such as short messaging service (SMS), mobile and desktop


applications and similar platforms, shall be under the exclusive regulation and
supervision of the GAB, 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, entitled: “Creating the Philippine Racing Commission.”

SECTION 25. Establishment of Off- Track Betting Station. - The GAB may
authorize the establishment of Off-Track Betting (OTB) station anywhere in
the Philippines, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions set by the
GAB including distance from other OTB stations and from places of worship and
educational institutions.

SECTION 26. OTB Station Permit to Operate. - No OTB station shall be
established and operated without the appropriate permit from the GAB.
Neither shall any betting be conducted through the telephone, the internet
and other electronic means such as short messaging service (SMS), mobile and
desktop applications and similar platforms without the appropriate permits
issued by the GAB.

SECTION 27. Records of Tickets Sold. - No person, race-track, racing club,
nor any other entity holding horse races 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 @
prominently-displayed bulletin board, each figure, letter, or symbol of which
shall be readable from a distance.

SECTION 28. 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 GAB shall appoint
such number of auditing officers and checkers as may be necessary to be placed
in the offices and tracks, race track, racing club, or entity concerned. It shall be
the duty of said auditing officers and checkers to report to the GAB 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 29. Betting. - The face value of totalizator tickets for wager May
be One Peso (P1.00), Two Pesos (P2.00) or Five Pesos (P5.00), 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 (P0.10). 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 30. Persons Prohibited from Betting. — Owners and employees of
racing clubs or 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. GAB members, including GAB officials and
employees, are likewise prohibited from betting on any race.

SECTION 31. Persons Prohibited From Admission. — Persons carrying deadly
weapons or firearms of any description, except government peace officers or
security personnel of the race track or OTB station or officials of the GAB in the
performance of their official functions, and intoxicated persons and persons who
are apt to disturb peace and order, shall not be admitted or allowed to remain in
a racetrack or OTB station during a racing day. In no case shall persons under
twenty-one (21) years of age be allowed admission to arace track or OTBstation and
inno case shall persons under twenty-one (21) years of age be allowed to bet or to
purchase wager tickets for others.

SECTION 32. OTB Station Limitation. - No OTB station shall be allowed to be
established and allowed to operate less than 300 meters away from schools or
learning institutions and churches or places of worship actively and currently being
used as such, New OTB stations shal! only be allowed to be established if it is
situated 500 meters away from an existing and operating OTB station. An existing
OTB station transferring to another location shalt be considered a new OTB
station and shall be required to comply with the requirements therefor.


SECTION 33. Time for 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 GAB 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 have 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 34. 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 (87.5%) 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 (12.5%) 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 (87.5%) 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 (12.5%) 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 (0.5%) of the
total wager funds or gross receipts from the sale of tickets shall be set aside and
turned over to the GAB by the person, race-track, racing club, or any other entity
holding the race as a special fund activity to cover the 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 (P10,000.00) 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 35. Books, Records and Accounts. - The GAB 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 asit may prescribe.

SECTION 36. Unclaimed Dividends. - All winning prizes or dividends
unclaimed by the winners within thirty (30) days from the date of the race
shall be forfeited in favor of the government, and collected by the GAB.

CHAPTER IV
COCKFIGHTING

SECTION 37. Powers and Functions relative to Cockfighting. - Except as
otherwise devolved to the local government units pursuant to Republic Act No.
7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, the supervision,
regulation, and control of all other aspects of cockfighting shall be with the
GAB. The GAB shall have the following powers:

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

c. Promulgate rules and regulations for the registration and effective
identification of fighting cocks as well as the prevention of theft and
fraudulent use thereof;

d. Supervise and regulate the conduct of international derbies and
collect fees therefor;

e, Regulate and supervise the live streaming, broadcasting or other
forms of transmission of cockfights, and any and all betting on


cockfighting through Off-Cockpit Betting Stations (OCBS) or through the
telephone, internet and other electronic means such as short messaging
service (SMS), mobile and desktop applications and similar platforms, and
to collect fees amounting to three (3%) of the gross bets made through
OCBS and the aforementioned platforms to defray the expenses of the
GAB;

f. Prescribe policy guidelines for the issuance of permits by the Bureau of
Animal industry for the importation or entry of gamecocks into the country
for breeding or competition purposes;

g. Promulgate its own rules and procedures relative to the conduct of its
own business;

h. 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 GAB;

i. Initiate, undertake, hear and decide any investigation for any violation of this
Act, rules and regulations of the GAB and in connection therewith, to issue
subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum;

j. Establish regional offices in such number and location as it will allow it to
perform the duties stated herein; and

k. Perform such other functions as may be authorized by law.
SECTION 38. 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.

b. Establishment of Cockpits. Only one (1) cockpit shall be allowed in each
city or municipality, except that in cities or municipalities with a population
of over one hundred thousand (100,000), two (2) cockpits may be established,
maintained and operated, which shall be licensed as such by the local
government units in accordance with the Local Government Code.

c. Establishment of OCBS. The GAB may authorize the establishment oF OcBs


anywhere in the Philippines, subject to compliance with the terms set by GAB;
Provided, That the operator of the OCBS shall have a legislative franchise.

|. OCBS Limitation. No OCBS shall be established and operated, nor any
betting through the telephone, the internet and other electronic means
such as short messaging service (SMS), mobile and desktop applications
and similar platforms be conducted, without a legislative franchise and the
appropriate permits issued by the GAB; Provided, That no OCBS shall be
allowed to operate less than 300 meters away from schools or learning
institutions and churches or places of worship actively and currently being
used as such: Provided, further, That new OCBS shall only be allowed to be
established if it is situated 500 meters away from an existing and operating
OCBS: Provided finally, That existing OCBS transferring to another location
shall be considered a new OCBS and shall be required to comply with the
requirements therefore.

. 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
(3) years from the date of effectivity of this Act to comply herewith.
Approval or issuance of building permits for the 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.

Holding of Cockfights. Cockfighting shall be allowed only in licensed
cockpits on days as the local government unit concerned sees fit:
Provided, That nocockfighting 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.


8. Other games during cockfights prescribed. No gambling of any kind
shall be permitted on the premises of a cockpit or place where a cockfight
is held while a game is ongoing. The owner, manager or lessee off such
cockpit and the violators of this injunction shall be criminally liable.

h. Persons Prohibited from Admission. — Persons carrying deadly weapons
orfirearms of any description, except government peace officers or
security personnel of the cockpit arena or OCB station or officials
of the GAB in the performance of their official functions, and
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 a cockpit arena or OCB station during a
cockfighting event. In no case shall persons under twenty-one (21)
years of age be allowed admission to a cockpit arena or OCB station
and in no case shall persons under twenty-one (21) years of age be
allowed to bet or to purchase wager tickets for others.

SECTION 39. Cockfighting Officials. — Gaffers, referees, manggagamot or
specialists, bet takers or promoters of local cockfights shall not act as such
in any cockfight herein authorized, without first securing alicense from the
city or municipality where such cockfighting is held. Gaffers, referees;
manggagamot or specialists, bet takers or promoters who shall engage in a
cockfight held in a different municipality or city or in international derbies
shall secure a license from the GAB: Provided, That GAB should extend
due consideration on their capacity to pay. In both cases, the GAB shall maintain a
register of all such gaffers, referees or bet takers,

SECTION 40. international Cockfighting Events. - For international cockfighting
events, the GAB shall collect from the cockpit operator an amount equivalent to three
percent (3%) of all gate receipt collected at the entrance gates. The GAB shall also
collect from the cockpit operator the equivalent of 3% of its customary share from
the betting pool, otherwise known as the plazada, from every international cockfight.

CHAPTER V
JAI ALAL

SECTION 41. Powers and Function Relative to Jai Alai. — The GAB shall:

@ Exercise supervision over the establishment, maintenance and


operation of fronton, basque pelota games and off-pronton stations
operated by entities with the appropriate franchise;

b. Promulgate rules and regulations relative to the holding, methods,
procedures, operations and conduct of jai-alai;

. License pelotaris and all jai-alai personne! and to 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 which
the GAB may prescribe, or for any just cause;

d. Supervise and regulate the live streaming or broadcasting of jai-alai games
and to collect fees therefor;

. Promulgate its own rules and procedures relative to the conduct of its
own business;

f. When warranted by the circumstances, 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;

8 To iate, 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;

h. To perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be necessary
or incidental to achieve the objectives of this Act;

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

SECTION 42. Persons Prohibited from Admission. - Persons carrying deadly
weapons or firearms of any description, except government peace officers
or security personne! of the fronton or off-fronton station or officials of
the GAB in the performance of their official functions, and 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 a fronton or
off-fronton station during a jai-alai game. In no case shall persons under
twenty-one (21) years of age be allowed admission to a fronton or off-


fronton station and in no case shall persons under twenty-one (21) years
of age be allowed to bet or to purchase wager tickets for others.

SECTION 43. — Gambling Prohibited. — No card games or any prohibited games shall
be permitted within the premises of any fronton.

SECTION 44. Books, Records und Accounts. - The GAB, or its duly
authorized representative, shall have the power to inspect at all times the
books, records, and accounts of any fronton. The GAB may, in Its 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 the GAB may prescribe.

SECTION 45. Pelotaris, Judges, Referees, etc. shall be Licensed. - No person
or entity operating a 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
GAB. 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 GAB may further require other reasonable
qualifications for applicants to a license, not otherwise provided herein.

SECTION 46. Installation of Automatic Electric Totalizator. - Any person or entity
operating a fronton wherein betting in any form is allowed shall install in its
premises 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.

SECTION 47. Establishment of Off-fronton Stations. - The GAB may
authorize the establishment of off-fronton stations anywhere in the Philippines,
subject to compliance with the terms and conditions set by the GAB including
distance from other off-fronton stations and from places of worship and educational
institutions.

SECTION 48. Off-fronton Station Authority to Operate. - No off-fronton


station shall be established and operated without the appropriate permit from
the GAB. Neither shall any betting be conducted through the telephone, the internet
and other electronic means such as short messaging service (SMS), mobile and
desktop applications and similar platforms without the appropriate permits issued
by the GAB.

SECTION 49. 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 GAB 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.

SECTION 50. Distribution of Wager Funds. — Unless otherwise provided for in
their franchise, the total wager funds or gross receipts collected by duly
authorized jai-alai operators/clubs from the sale of the betting tickets shall be
apportioned as follows: a commission not exceeding ten and one-half per
centum (10.5%) 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 (4.5%)
of such bets shall be remitted to 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 (10.5%) representing the commission of the person or entity
operating the fronton, an amount equivalent to one-half per centum (-5%) of the
total bets or wager funds shall be set aside and remitted to the GAB, and made
available to cover its expenses for the supervision and regulation of basque pelota
games in frontons and off-frontons.

SECTION 51. Supervision over the Conduct of Games; Enforcement of
Rules and Regulations. - The GAB shall 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 Act as well as such other regulations as may
hereafter be prescribed.

SECTION 52. 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 GAB;
and subject to the approval of the GAB, any fronton may introduce any type or
form of games or events, provided they are not contrary to the provisions of this
Act or any law, rule or regulation hereafter issued.

SECTION 53. 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 verbally or through 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 of games (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 games (intendente), subject to the approval of the
GAB or its duly 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; 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 VI
OTHER FORMS OF AMUSEMENTS

SECTION 54. Setting Up of a One-Stop Shop. - The GAB shall set up a one-stop


shop for the issuance of licenses or permits for the conduct of international
amusement events or productions, such as concerts, theatrical plays, circus acts,
among others, in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, Department of
Labor and Employment, Department of Tourism and other government agencies
concerned.

CHAPTER Vii
ANTI-ILLEGAL GAMBLING UNIT

SECTION5S. Enforcement and Investigation Division. - There shall be an
Enforcement and investigation Division that shall combat and prevent the
existence and proliferation of illegal bookie joints and other illegal forms of
organized gambling in professional sports and amusement games.

SECTION56. Creation of Anti-lllegal Gambling Unit. - To assist the GAB in its
fight against illegal bookie joints and other illegal forms of organized gambling
in professional sports and amusement games, an Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit
(AIGU) is hereby created to be composed of personne! from GAB Enforcement
and Investigation Division and other organic personnel to be appointed by the
GAB: Provided, That the GAB-AIGU may request for operational assistance
from government agencies involved in gaming operations or law enforcement
in the exercise of its functions.

SECTION 57. Prosecution. The GAB-AIGU shall monitor the status of arrests
made and complaints filed to ensure that suspects are prosecuted. The GAB
shall submit a quarterly report on the operations of the GAB-AIGU to the Office
of the President.

CHAPTER VII
FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 58. Appropriations. — The amount needed to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation
of the GAB and thereafter included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 59. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The GAB shall, within
ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.


SECTION 60. 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 61. Repealing Clause. — Presidential Decree No. 871, Executive
Order No. 120 (s. 1948), Presidential Decree No. 449, Presidential Decree No.
1802, Executive Order No. 135 (s. 1948). Sections 6 and 7 of Executive Order No.
392 (s. 1951), and Sections 6,11,15,18, and 24 of Republic Act No. 309 are
hereby repealed. All other laws, orders and proclamations, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of
this Act or its purposes are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 62. &ffectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
general circulation.

Aprroved,