Online sports betting is one of the most popular pastimes among Filipinos. To try your luck at it, you need a device that is connected to the Internet and a bit of cash that you’re not afraid to lose. If you want to win frequently and lose as little as possible, you should bet on such disciplines that you understand well.
The Legal Base of Local Sports Betting
According to the local laws, you can’t launch a legal sports betting platform in the Philippines. All the online sportsbooks that cater to Filipinos are registered abroad, predominantly in offshore areas.
But if you want to use the services of a sportsbook as a client, you can do it legally. To be allowed to place bets on gambling sites, you need to come of age. Before requesting your first withdrawal, you’ll need to verify your identity with your private documents.
What Kind Of Sports Can I Legally Bet On?
Most bookmakers that cater to Filipinos operate on an international level. That’s why they feature all the major popular sports: football, boxing, tennis, horse racing and so on. To bet on one of the local disciplines, you should sign up for a platform that caters to the Asia-Pacific region.
The best online bookmakers offer both desktop and mobile betting. They allow their clients to predict the outcomes of games not only before they begin (this is called “prematch”) but also in real time (this is known as “live betting”).
The Most Popular Local Disciplines To Bet On
Combat Sports
Thousands of Filipinos are fans of taekwondo, boxing and MMA. You can find sporting events of this type on nearly any online gambling platform. Lesser-known martial arts are also available on many bookmakers’ sites — but you might need to spend some time to find them.
Arnis
It’s a weapon-based type of fighting. Sportsmen fight with sticks, knives, bladed weapons and improvised weapons. They use disarming methods and practice hand to hand combat. There have been campaigns to nominate arnis in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists since it’s a very important part of the local culture.
American & Asian Sports
Sports bettors who like the American lifestyle can easily find bookmakers that feature basketball, golf, rugby, diving and windsurfing. Those looking for typical Asian betting options might focus on the following disciplines: sepak takraw (Malaysia), chinlone (Myanmar), traditional longboat race (Thailand), seated archery (Indonesia) or Khmer wrestling (Cambodia).
Cockfighting (Sabong)
Filipinos allegedly began to breed gamecocks around 6000 years ago. These birds are famous for their exceptional strength and stamina. All males of the same species hate each other and start fighting as soon as they get a chance. Some owners attach metal spurs to their birds’ natural spurs to let them hit their opponents harder. The fight ends when one of the cocks dies or gets serious physical trauma. In some countries, cockfighting is prohibited. Very few global sports betting sites offer this aggressive discipline.