Betting in the Philippines was current since the nineteenth century,[1] and is still widespread in the nation today. Currently, it takes on different legal and illegal types found nearly throughout the archipelago. The government handles gambling through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) which intends to govern and operate games of chance, and to generate government funds,[2] but in addition, there are several other public and private agencies that handles specific forms of betting. Specifically, casino gaming under PAGCOR is essential to the nation’s tourism and revenue. The Philippines has more casinos than Macau, with twenty located in Metro Manila alone.
Before the Spanish colonization.,[1] gambling is said to have already been within the Philippines. Although there are no specific records when gaming was initially practiced in the archipelago, it is likely that a few forms were introduced by the Chinese in the late sixteenth century. Because of the proximity of the two countries, many local Chinese would go to the Philippines for business and profit, engaging in different trades and activities. [4][5] About Magellan’s voyage to the Philippines, it was mentioned in the accounts of Antonio Pigafetta, that he had witnessed bets being placed on cockfights if his boat arrived at Palawan in 1521.

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