Press Release
October 4, 2020

LAPID BILL PROPOSES TO STRENGTHEN GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS BOARD (GAB) ADAPTING TO CHANGES AND ADVANCES IN SPORTS

Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid has filed a bill which seeks to strengthen the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) by providing a legal framework of its functions, powers and organizational structure to keep it attuned to changes since the agency was created in 1951.

With more than half a century that had passed since its creation, GAB now faces new technological developments like off-site and online betting, live streaming and video recording of events in the various professional games and amusements under the mantle of its regulatory power.

There is also the emergence of new sports such as electronic sports or ESports, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and others which were not at all anticipated at the time of its establishment.

"Napakarami na ng pagbabago sa larangan ng sports sa ating bansa simula nang mabuo ang Games and Amusements Board kaya napapanahon na rin na silipin muli ang mandato ng ahensyang ito. Tignan natin ano ang mga pwedeng baguhin sa mga kasalukuyang probisyon ng batas na bumuo sa GAB. Maari ring dagdagan at lawakan ang trabaho ng GAB para masigurong masasakop nito ang lahat ng sports sa bansa," Lapid explained.

"Marami na ring lumalabas na iba-ibang uri ng laro at mga sugal na hindi inaabot ng mga kasulukuyang mga regulasyon na nais sana mating maisaklaw sa kapangyarihan ng estado, kung pipiliin man nating ipagbawal ito o i-regulate, tulad ng e-sabong na ngayon ay lumalaki ang popularidad.", Lapid lamented as he underlined the importance of regulation over emerging games that need to be controlled.

Senate Bill 1863 provides that a legal framework be established with clearcut and reasonable standards for its licensing and permitting activities and its role in specific sports and activities such as professional boxing and contact sports, horse racing, cockfighting, jail alai and other forms of amusements.

The GAB will also act as a regulatory body for all professional sports with functions including the power to issue professional sports licenses to athletes, and persons engaged in professional sports in the country. The agency will also hold the power to issue permits to persons, entities or associations for the holding of professional sporting events, competitions or exhibitions.

Senator Lapid also envisions the GAB to have a quasi judicial power, "Dapat na mabigyan ng kaukulang kapangyarihan ang ahensya na duminig sa mga reklamo at kontrobersyo na sakop ng mandato nito. Dapat mabigyan ng awtoridad ang GAB na bumuo ng sarili nitong rules para mabilis na madesisyunan ang mga kaso kasama na ang pagpataw ng karampatang kaparusahan sa mga na atleta, manlalaro, promoters at managers na mapapatunayang lumabag sa mga panuntunan."

To assist the GAB in its fight against illegal bookie joints and other illegal forms of organized gambling in professional sporting events, competitions or exhbitions, an Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit will also be created (AIGU).

The bill also provides for the establishment of the Athletes Welfare Fund for the benefit of professional athletes who sustain injuries or perish in the exercise of their profession. The fund can also be utilized to provide immediate financial and medical assistance to deserving indigent athletes suffering from injuries and emergencies related to their profession.

News Latest News Feed