Cebu City Intensifies Illegal Gambling Crackdown

Illegal gambling operations in Cebu City are coming under increased scrutiny after Mayor Nestor Archival instructed local police to strengthen monitoring and enforcement against activities operating without the necessary permits and authorizations.

Archival ordered the Cebu City Police Office to examine the permits, licences and other clearances held by operators involved in small town lottery, Lotte, e-Sabong, cockfighting and related gambling activities.

The directive was issued during a recent briefing attended by CCPO Officer-in-Charge Col. Ricky Sumalde, City Councilor Paul Labra, as well as unit heads and station commanders representing the city’s 13 police stations.

Police Told to Check Gambling Activities

Archival said police should pay particular attention to gambling operations taking place within Cebu City, including small town lottery, Lotte, e-Sabong, cockfighting and other comparable activities.

Officers were also instructed to determine whether cockfighting activities comply with Cebu City Ordinance 1447, as amended by City Ordinance 2806. The ordinance establishes requirements covering cockpit licences, permitted activities and cockfighting officials, along with restrictions concerning locations and distances.

The order follows an incident during a recent barangay fiesta when police reportedly arrested about 50 people over alleged illegal gambling connected to a traditional cockfighting activity. Organisers reportedly said they had obtained a city permit for the event.

City Council Considers Legal Review

Councilor Alvin Arcilla subsequently proposed a resolution requesting that the City Council Committee on Laws examine whether current legislation permits the city to authorise or regulate traditional cockfighting during barangay fiestas.

The proposed review would also seek clearer guidance for barangays, fiesta organisers and government agencies. It would further examine whether a city-issued permit alone is enough to authorise such activities under national gambling laws.

Small town lottery (STL) is a government-sanctioned numbers game operated under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. However, unauthorised gambling operations using the STL name remain an enforcement concern.

E-Sabong and Cockfighting Requirements

E-Sabong, which involves online cockfighting, was banned nationwide in 2022. Traditional cockfighting remains permitted under regulated conditions but is required to comply with national legislation and local rules.

Cebu City has also recorded other recent enforcement actions involving gambling. In March, police arrested four Korean nationals allegedly operating an illegal online gambling establishment associated with offshore-style gambling games. They were charged under Republic Act 9287 and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

In June, police arrested 11 alleged swertres users in Danao City, Talisay City and Liloan. Betting slips and cash believed to represent proceeds from illegal gambling were reportedly confiscated during the operation.

National Gambling Measures Also Proposed

The Cebu City enforcement drive comes as lawmakers consider measures targeting gambling and its promotion.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed Senate Bill 2347, which seeks to prohibit gambling-related advertising and sponsorships nationwide.

The proposed national measure would exist alongside the local enforcement efforts in Cebu City, where police have been instructed to check the permits, licences and clearances of operators involved in small town lottery, Lotte, e-Sabong, cockfighting and similar activities.

Police to Continue Monitoring

The Cebu City Police Office will implement the mayor’s order by increasing monitoring and checking the documentation of gambling operators. The city’s 13 police stations are expected to verify the permits, licences and other clearances associated with the specified activities.

Meanwhile, the City Council Committee on Laws is expected to consider the proposed review of traditional cockfighting during barangay fiestas.

The review could help determine how these activities are authorised and regulated within the city. Cebu’s enforcement efforts continue alongside consideration of the proposed national gambling advertising ban filed by Sen. Escudero.