Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4463

INTRODUCED BY HON. FAUSTINO MICHAEL CARLOS T. DY Ill

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Sports offer opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and memorable
experiences, embodying values like dedication, discipline and perseverance. They also teach
valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and strategic thinking. Its essence lies in its
ability to foster physical and mental well-being, promote competition, build character, and
unite individuals through shared passion and teamwork.

To capture its essence, sports should adhere to the principles of honesty, fairness and
ethical behavior. It should be played with respect for the rules and regulations, as well as a
commitment to upholding the values of fair play, sportsmanship, inclusivity and
transparency.

When the integrity of a sport is compromised, the ripple effects can be profound.
Game fixing is an issue that attacks the essence of what makes sport special — uncertainty.
it undermines the integrity and fairness of sports competitions, betraying the trust of fans
and stakeholders alike. It is illegal and punishable by law in many countries, and sports
organizations have strict rules and severe penalties for those who are found guilty.

This bill seeks to declare unlawful and impose penalties on the arrangement,
agreement, scheme or act of maliciously conducting any sport other than on the basis of
the honest playing skill or ability of the players or the act of deliberately limiting the skill or
ability of any player or participant in a game, race, or sports competition in order to
influence the process or to produce a pre-determined result for purposes of gambling,
betting, or as part of a scheme to defraud the public on the conduct or outcome of the
game.

Representative, Isabela 5” District


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__4463

Introduced by Representative Faustino Michael T. Dy Ill

AN ACT
PROHIBITING GAME-FIXING AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR

VIOLATIONS THEREOF
Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti Game-Fixing Act”.

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the growth and
development of sports in the country and protect the youth from the influence of persons
who, through fraudulent schemes, machinations and other nefarious practices, undermine
the true spirit of sportsmanship and taint the fair and competitive conduct of sports in the
country.

Towards this end, the State hereby declares game-fixing, point-shaving, and game
machinations in any sports competition unlawful, and imposes severe penalties on these
acts to discourage the commission thereof and to promote the values of excellence, fair
play, and integrity in Philippine sports,

SEC. 3. Game-Fixing.- Game-fixing in any professional or amateur sports is hereby declared
unlawful, Game-fixing refers to any arrangement, agreement, scheme, or act or series of
acts, wherein any person or persons, maliciously conduct or cause to be conducted any
professional or amateur sports other than on the basis of the honest playing skill or ability
of the players or participants or even deliberately limiting the skill or ability of any player
or participant in a game, race, or sports competition in order to influence the process or
to produce a pre-determined result for purposes of gambling, betting, or as part of a
scheme to defraud the public on the conduct and outcome of the game.


While proof of actual payment or receipt of money or any valuable consideration is not a
requirement to constitute the crime of game-fixing, it shall, however, be deemed a prima
facie evidence of its commission.

SEC. 4, Other Forms of Game-Fixing.- Game-fixing shall likewise include the following acts:
a. _ Point-shaving refers to any such arrangement, combination, scheme or agreement
by which the skill or ability of any player or participant in a game, race or sports
competition to make points or scores shall be deliberately limited to influence the

result thereof in favor of one or the other team, player or participant therein;

b. Game machinations refer to any other fraudulent, deceitful, unfair or dishonest
means, method, manner or practice employed for the purpose of influencing the
result of any game, race, or sports contest; and

The act of willfully abetting, aiding, or inducing any person to commit game-fixing
and profiting therefrom.

SEC. 5. Game-Fixing by Syndicate. - Game-fixing is deemed committed by a syndicate if
carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring or confederating with one
another to perform the acts specified in Sections 3 and 4 of this Act.

SEC. 6. Covered Sports.- _ Game-fixing may be committed in professional or amateur
sports. For purposes of this Act, professional sports shall refer to individual or tearn sports,
games, contests, bouts, tournaments or competitions whereby the participating athlete is
paid sums of money or other forms of compensation as regular salary or prize for
participation.

Amateur sports shall refer to individual or team sports, games, contests, bouts,
tournaments or competitions, including collegiate leagues conducted by the public or
private school athletic associations, whereby the participant is engaged largely or entirely
without remuneration.

SEC. 7. Penatties. - The following penalties are hereby imposed on persons found guilty of
game-fixing as herein described:

a. The penalty of imprisonment from three (3) years and one (1) day to six (6) years,
ora fine of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Five
million pesos (P5,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court shall be

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imposed upon any person, other than those referred to in sub-paragraphs b, c, d,
and e, found guilty of any offense defined herein;

b. The penalty of imprisonment from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years
ora fine of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Five
million pesos (P5,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court, when the
offender is an athlete, promoter, referee, umpire, judge, or coach;

c. The penalty of life imprisonment or a fine of not less than Ten million pesos
(P10,000,000.00) but not more than Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) or both at
the discretion of the court, when the offender is a member of a syndicate as
defined in Section 5 of this Act;

d._ The maximum penalty provided under this Act shall be imposed:

. If the offender is a public officer, whether elected or appointed. The accessory
penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office or
employment shall likewise be imposed;

N

. If the offender is the partner, president, director, manager, trustee, estate
administrator or officer of a partnership, corporation, association or any juridical
entity, who directly participated, consented or knowingly tolerated the game-
fixing shall be held criminally liable as a principal; and

»

If the offender is an alien, deportation shall be imposed only after the service of
sentence.

e. The liability of students who are minors found to have violated any of the offense
defined herein shall be limited only to administrative liability pursuant to the
disciplinary rules and regulations of the school or institution to which they belong.

SEC. 8. Proposal, Attempt, and Conspiracy to Commit Game-Fixing. - The penalty of
imprisonment from one (1) year to three (3) years, or a fine of not less than Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00), or
both, at the discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any person who proposes,
attempts, or conspires to commit game-fixing.

SEC. 9. Perpetual Disqualification from Participation in Amateur and Professional
Sports.- The following persons shall be perpetually disqualified to participate in any
competitive sport:

a. Those engaged in professional sports if convicted by final judgment of
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game-fixing; and
Those engaged in amateur sports if convicted by final judgment for the
second time. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and
Amusements Board (GAB), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), and other concerned agencies shall be served
copies of the decision and order the disqualification of a person from
participating in whatever capacity in any sports in the country.

SEC.10. Roles of Concerned Agencies. - The following agencies and instrumentalities are
mandated to perform the following tasks:

a.

The GAB shall revoke the license of professional athletes and other sports
officials. The provisions of this Act notwithstanding, the Games and
Amusements Board may, in a separate administrative proceeding, suspend or
revoke the professional license of any person found guilty of violation of other
applicable laws, rules and regulations;

The PSC shall remove athletes from the national team, including coaches and
other sports officials, ban athletes from participating in all PSC-organized and-
sanctioned amateur sports competitions, and disqualify athletes, coaches and
officials from being nominated for, or from receiving, any award pursuant to
Republic Act No. 8757, otherwise known as the “Philippine Sports Hall of Fame
Act", or any award that may be given in the future;

The DepEd shall ban primary and secondary level student-athletes including
coaches and officiating staff, from participating in the Palarong Pambansa and
other Deptd-sponsored, sanctioned or organized sports events or
competitions;

The Philippine Olympic Committee and the National Sports Associations shall
remove athletes, coaches and other sports officials from their respective
rosters;

Athletic associations shall disqualify athletes, coaches and other sports officials
from participating in any inter-school athletic programs and competitions; and

Schools shall disqualify athletes, coaches and other sports officials from
representing the school in any sports event.

The concerned agencies shall coordinate and monitor the strict implementation of the

accessory penalty provided under Section 9.

SEC. 11. Witness Protection. - Any person who voluntarily discloses the commission of game-

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fixing, or testifies, or assists in the prosecution thereof, shall be exempt from any liability
for game-fixing, and may be admitted to the Witness Protection Program under Republic
Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act’.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause, ~ The pertinent provisions on game-fixing, point-shaving and
game machinations in sports contests under Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Presidential Decree
No, 483, as amended, and under Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1602, are hereby
repealed. All other laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules and regulations
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified
or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 14, Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,