COCKFIGHTING

The History of Cockfighting

Cockfighting has been around for at least 6,000 years and has been practiced in different parts of the world. Nonetheless, it was Antonio Pigafetta, who was Magellan's chronicler and archivist, who first recorded the sport in 1521, when the renowned explorer touched down in the area that is now the Philippines. In light of this, the Philippines is considered Cockpit Zero in the current history of the sport.

From that point on, sabong continued to grow in popularity among island residents. Reports indicate that sabong is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the Philippines, with over 2,500 venues specifically designed to accommodate these fights. An estimated 30 million roosters perish annually in the islands due to cockfighting, with many of the winners also dying from their wounds. Most people think it's wrong to consume these birds right after they fight, so they usually just throw them away.

The sport's widespread condemnation as cruel and inhumane has not diminished cockfighting's appeal in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world. With its long and illustrious past, sabong is definitely not going anywhere.

Cockfighting Explained

One of the earliest forms of gambling in the Philippines is sabong, more often known as cockfighting. Despite international bans on the "bloodsport," millions of Filipinos continue to partake in the practice every day, and the practice's sacred heritage in the islands further supports this view.

The sport of cockfighting involves the physical confrontation of two male roosters, also known as gamecocks, in a controlled arena setting. Size and aggressive tendencies are the main criteria for selecting these birds, which also feature blades—either single or double—attached to their left legs. On the other hand, some bouts include animals with blades on either their right or left legs, as per owner agreement.

After being prepared for battle, the cocks are let loose into the sabong pit, also known as the cockpit, and engage in beak-slash-talon combat. Since it is usually obvious which bird has triumphed after only a few minutes, the referee is free to declare the battle at any moment.

Fighters go on for what seems like an eternity to those who aren't familiar with the sport, but that's not always the case. Depending on the vigor and defensiveness of the birds, a cockfight can last for as long as thirty minutes. As in boxing, there is occasionally a clear "dance" that goes on in the pit, but fighting cocks are bred to be aggressive.

Online Cockfighting Betting: e-Sabong

Horse racing off-track betting (OTB) is legal in the Philippines and overseen by PAGCOR. Wagers on the day's races can be placed by horseplayers at a kiosk. The PAGCOR agency has never actually implemented its OTB solution for sabong, even though it has the official right to do so. Because of this, e-Sabong, or illegal internet sabong betting, has emerged in the Philippines.

For all intents and purposes, followers of the sport can visit websites maintained by unlicensed cockfighting rings, where they can see the dates and chances of upcoming contests and place bets. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is illicit gaming taking place underground. Even though sabong has a long and storied history in the Philippines, the national government and PAGCOR have passed laws prohibiting e-Sabong and off-track betting on the sport.

Despite the 2019 unanimous passage of House Bill 8910, the prohibition is still pending President Rodrigo Duterte's signature. Bill 8910 does not outright prohibit sabong at government-approved cockpits, but it does make it illegal to bet on the sport at some over-the-counter establishments.

How Online Cockfighting Betting Works

There are plenty of betting opportunities at the best online casino Philippines sites that feature cockfight betting. Fighting pits are the setting for sabong contests, but the fights follow the same three-stage format as boxing in the Philippines. There is the battle, there is the ulatan, and there is the ruweda.

Ulatan

An ulatan is a "tale of the tape" or "faceoff" that takes place before a fight. The fighting fowl are matched according to their physical traits in this setting. Size, weight, wingspan, and height are all part of this. The gamecocks should share these characteristics for the sake of fair competition.

This is also the spot where the animals' left legs are equipped with blades or knives. Blades can have one or two edges, and their sizes can range from very small to very large. The owners can decide whether to attach blades to the right or both legs of the cocks.

Ruweda

The next step is the ruweda, which prepares the birds to enter the cockpit, also known as the arena. The cocks' owners display their cockfighters in the arena so spectators and bettors can gauge the creatures' temperaments before placing wagers on the sabong.

In a traditional fight, the announcer (casador) sets the rules, and the referee (sentensyador or koyme), who doubles as the sole judge, watches the action unfold and announces the victor. Third parties, known as kristos, collect bets from the audience and record the conditions and payouts in a written record; nonetheless, many still rely on memory.

Fight!

Dropping the birds into the ring and letting them fight it out using their beaks and the blade(s) connected to their legs is all that's needed after the rules are specified and the bets are accepted. When a clear victor is determined, the referee will declare a victory; subsequent appeals will not be entertained.

Sabong bouts aren't necessarily "fights to the death," unlike what most people think. The injured bird usually makes it out of the ring alive, although it almost always dies later on. During the combat, the victorious bird could possibly sustain fatal injuries.

Cockfighting Betting Odds Explained

Getting the hang of betting on Sabong in the Philippines is as easy as pie: Going to a cockfight, watching the birds that are going to spar, and then handing over your pesos to the kristo is basically it.

The first thing you need to know about sabong betting is that the center is occupied by two roosters. One is the "llamado," or popular choice, the rooster that many expect to win because of its appearance or breed. The second player, who has a lesser probability of winning, is known as the "dejado" or underdog. Similarly to traditional sports betting, betting on the "llamado" increases your odds of winning. But the payoff is somewhat less. Therefore, choose "dejado" if you are willing to take a chance for higher rewards.

The odds will determine your payment in the end when using the sabong betting strategy. Odds in sabong begin with "sampu siyam," meaning 10%, and can go up to "tress," meaning 50%. They can also start with "walo," meaning 20%, "anim," meaning 30%, and so on. The odds for the rooster can sometimes go "doblado," or 100%.

The following are some additional kinds of bets that you can make (with an approximation of the odds):

• Parehas: Even odds, +100 (1/1)
• Lo Dies: +125 (5/4)
• Walo-anim: +133 (133/100)
• Onso: +138 (69/50)
• Sampu-anim: +167 (167/100)

The Best Sportsbooks to Bet on Cockfighting in the Philippines

Only at a local cockpit in the Philippines is it physically possible to wager on sabong. You should certainly go this method if you want the best experience, since these sabong pits may be managed. On the other hand, there are plenty of illicit cockpits to choose from, and matches happen daily in every state.

You should stick to regulated contests, while it is rather safe to bet at illicit fights. The possibility of illegal sabong is too great, and there is an abundance of these. For Filipinos seeking a secure environment to watch cockfights and place unlimited bets, a small number of respectable online sportsbooks and top online casino Philippines sites are accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cockfighting Betting in the Philippines

Is betting on cockfighting legal in the Philippines?

Yes, it is. For quite some time, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been in charge of overseeing sabong in the Philippines. Though underground sabong, also known as tupada or tigbakay, is a famous aspect of the scene, gambling at authorized cockpits is the only place it is allowed.

The government does not support cockfighting and has not made it a priority to stop it, therefore cockfights on the illicit market are available all throughout the country.

Can Filipinos legally bet on cockfighting online?

Although domestic operators, or POGOs, do not allow Filipino residents to gamble online, illicit sabong pits frequently include internet components, which are known as e-Sabong in the Philippines. Having said that, it would be perfectly legal for gamblers in the Philippines to use these services to wager on sabong odds posted by offshore operators. What this means is that online cockfight betting is definitely open to Filipino punters.

Is it safe to bet on cockfighting online?

It is! As long as you’re sticking to well-established online sportsbooks, you’ll be fine. We at SafeOnlineCasinosPH have curated a list of trustworthy and reputable online sports betting sites that welcome bettors of cockfighting and many other sports.

What is the best sportsbook for cockfighting betting in PH?

The best online casino Philippines with the best cockfight sportsbook in the Philippines is the one that can offer the greatest number of matches, most favorable odds, exciting betting offers, encrypted security, and overall satisfying service to its customers. You’re just in great luck as we might have the one exact sportsbook that you’re looking for here at SafeOnlineCasinosPH!