Sabung Ayam Online di Filipina jadi Primadona

STA CRUZ, PHILIPPINES - FEBRUARY 20: A referee holding participating game fowls in a six-day cup of the blood-sport now being broadcasted online, on February 20, 2021 in Sta Cruz, Laguna, south of Manila, Philippines. (Cockfighting, locally called Sabong, is a popular pastime and sports in the Philippines dating back as far as pre-colonial era. It is believed to be a billion dollar industry, according to authorities. Although there is really no nationwide ban on the sport unregulated Sabong is outlawed in the country. Big cup derbies and online cockfights called e-sabong are sanctioned and gaining more popularity since the lockdown started. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the government to temporarily ban all forms of cockfighting to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease. But that didnt stop many Filipinos to go out and pursue the sport. Cockfighting may be a pastime for the rich, but for us poor, it is a source of livelihood, says Ronnie de Leon, 48, who has been working as a hired informal veterinarian for injured game fowls for over two decades. As the Philippine economy continue to slide, many flock from all over to join the blood sport game for them to take a chance to win something for their families, as well as many also place bets online on this gambling sport that is now easily accessible online.
Photo by Jes Aznar/Getty Images)

Wasit mengawasi pertandingan sabung ayam di Sta Cruz, Laguna, selatan Manila, Filipina.

Turnamen e-sabong di Sta Cruz, Laguna, diadakan selama enam hari.

Sabung ayam atau secara lokal disebut Sabong, adalah hobi dan olahraga populer di Filipina sejak era pra-kolonial.

Sebelumnya tidak ada larangan nasional untuk menggelar olahraga Sabong ini, namun sejak pandemi COVID-19 pemerintah melarang sementara semua bentuk sabong ayam.

Meski telah dilarang, warga tetap menggelar sabung ayam online atau disebut e-sabong.

Kendarti demikian, Komisi Keuangan DPR Filipina telah menyetujui rancangan undang-undang yang mengatur pajak atas judi sabung ayam online sebagai upaya meningkatkan penerimaan pajak di tengah pandemi COVID-19.

Ketua Komisi Keuangan DPR Joey Salceda mengatakan pemerintah akan memungut pajak 5% atas pendapatan kotor yang diperoleh dari aktivitas taruhan di luar situs judi online berlisensi lokal di antaranya seperti judi sabung ayam online.

Salah satu warga mengatakan sabung ayam mungkin menjadi hobi bagi orang kaya, namun untuk mereka yang miskin sabung ayam adalah sumber mata pencaharian.