Most Popular eSports Bookies in Philippines

Gambling has been in existence in the Philippines since way before the Spanish colonization. However, no records show when Filipinos started gambling, but most indicators point to the Chinese influence late in the 16th century. The proximity between these two Asian nations is undoubtedly a key factor why the Chinese could have introduced gambling in the Philippines.

There were significant developments in the gambling situation in the country during the Spanish colonization era, key among them being the institutionalization of traditional forms of gambling at the time. By the 19th century, Filipinos were already placing wagers in different forms of gambling, key among them being cockfighting, horseracing, card games, lotteries, and other casino games.

The prevalence of gambling in the 19th century saw Filipinos entrenched in gambling. The prevalence of gambling across all levels of society was alarming, a situation that forced the Spanish colonizers to put strict measures to suppress the popularity of gambling at the time. These measures ultimately culminated in the criminalization of betting in the country.

Later, following the American occupation, efforts to criminalize gambling bore no results. As a result, the Americans had to give in and later reintroduced gambling in 1912. The following years saw gambling institutionalized for charitable purposes, including promoting public health and the Filipino's general welfare. Fast forward, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was instated to regulate land-based casinos. Gambling laws in the country have been subject to constant improvements.

Online eSports betting Philippines has been growing steadily by double digits since it was introduced in 2017. This growth can be attributed to technological advances and infrastructural developments. Growing accessibility to smartphones and the development of the internet in the country play a major role in supporting this industry.

The budding Filipino esports ecosystem remains largely anchored on foreign tournaments or games such as the League of Legends (LoL) and Player Unknown's Battleground (PUBG). The Philippines is undoubtedly an ideal ecosystem for eSports, going by the recent developments such as developing the first franchise-based league, "The Nationals," that kicked off in mid-2018.

Future of esports betting in the Philippines

The future of online esports betting in the Philippines looks bright, despite some strict regulations on online gambling. A large part of shaping the future of eSports betting is anchored on how both the government and private players will support esports gaming in the country.

It is also worth noting that eSports betting in Philippines is largely observed among eSports fans, most of whom share a passion for the sport. The younger generation has been integral in these developments, most aspiring to compete at the biggest stage. As a result, the ever-growing audience in eSports events points to the fact that it could only be a matter of time before eSports betting in the Philippines shapes up.

As mentioned before, the Filipino gambling landscape is highly regulated. Therefore, all gambling activities are anchored on special Acts and presidential decrees. Some betting acts and decrees define the Philippines' gambling framework. These include:

Republic Act 7922

The Republic Act 7922 of 1994 served to establish the Cagayan Economic Zone. This act also established the Philippine government regulatory agency CEZA, tasked with overseeing gambling activities within the special economic zone.

Republic Act 9287

The Republic Act came into effect in 2004. It was enacted by the Filipino Senate and the House of Representatives. This served to increase the penalties for illegal gambling activities within the country.

Republic Act 10927

This 2017 law provides specific anti-money laundering regulations for Philippines-based casinos, key among them being the keeping of gambling records for at least five years and the implementation of certain risk management policies. The Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is tasked with ensuring that casino operators comply with these regulations, and this often involves making random checks.

Executive Orders No. 13

This law, Authorized by President Roderigo Durtete in 2004, seeks to combat illegal gambling operations in the country. It also aims to endorse the state-run lottery and prohibit online casino operators from offering their services to Filipino players. In addition, this order defines illegal gambling as any activity that is not authorized by the respective casino licensing authority.

Besides these laws, the gambling industry is subjected to some executive or presidential decrees. Some of the presidential decrees in Filipino gambling laws include Presidential Decree No.1067-a, Presidential Decree No.1062, and Presidential Decree No.1869, adopted in 1978. 1982, and 1994, respectively. It is worth noting that most Filipino laws target operators and define gambling activities. Notwithstanding, no law expressly prohibits access to offshore online casinos, at least for now.

The Filipino esports continues to thrive, with close to two million esports enthusiasts. Notably, there have been several global esports tournaments held in the Philippines that have been instrumental in popularizing the sport in the country. As this craze increases, here are some of the Filipino players' favorite esports game titles:

League of Legends (LoL)

LoL is undoubtedly a fan favorite among Filipino esports players. This also applies among esports bettors largely because it offers considerably higher prospects to generate attractive revenues. There will always be a LoL tournament, event, or match happening. Most Filipinos, however, focus on international LOL events such as the League of Legends World Championships and the League of Legends Pro League.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is another popular eSports game in the Philippines and abroad. Filipino players can place bets on local Dota 2 tournaments, including The Nationals, Philippine Pro Gaming League, Galaxy Battles, and the MPGL Asian Championship. Besides the local options, they can also place wagers on international events.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

CS:GO is another game that enjoys massive appeal in the Philippines thanks to an impressive number of tournaments in any given calendar year. Not only are CS:GO fans treated to a long list of international events, they also cannot afford to miss local ones such as WASD Tarlac eSports League and CS:GO Asia Championships, among many.

Is Esports Betting Legal in the Philippines?

Yes & No. eSports betting is legal in the Philippines. However, the legal question about online gaming usually arises when choosing where to play. Ideally, Filipinos cannot play at locally licensed online betting sites but can play at offshore casinos without risking any legal consequences.

Where Can One Find Online Bookies Accepting Filipino Players?

A simple online search should give you a list of eSports betting sites that accept Filipino players. However, just because a casino accepts Filipinos does not make it a go-to option. Punters should be keen to examine the respective casino's licensing status. In most cases, players are advised to confine themselves to the best eSports betting sites Philippines that have been thoroughly reviewed.

Are There Other Forms of Legal Gambling?

Besides eSports betting, Filipinos can explore a variety of online casino games. The catch here is that any Filipino should confine themselves to gambling sites licensed or operated abroad. There is nothing to worry about when playing at offshore betting sites, whether casino or sports betting.