Online cockfighting continues to grow despite the imposition of bans and cases of murder connected to it. In Bulacan, arenas are still full where people shout while the cocks fight.
During the height of the pandemic, cockfighting moved online. Due to easy access and connections to e-wallets, many Filipinos became addicted. According to Ray Gibraltar, he sometimes made more than ₱800,000 per day in wins and losses. He reached the point of borrowing from everyone until he was forced to go to rehab.
Reagan Praferosa, from Recovering Gamblers of the Philippines, said that almost 30% of their patients come from e-sabong. Usually, people only seek help when their money is gone.
A graphic artist who identified himself as “Jay” admitted that he still gambles online for every paycheck. Even though the bet was only ₱10, he has lost money that he could have used to buy his brother's things. For him, it's not about money but about the thrill.
According to authorities, millions of pesos are being funneled into the industry every week. Although more than 6,800 sites have been blocked, many are still able to get around using VPNs. That's why some senators are calling for higher fines and heavier punishments to completely crack down on online cockfighting.
