Games and Amusements Board

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) (Tagalog: Lupon sa Palaro at Libangan)[1] is the government-ran regulatory body of professional sports in the Philippines.[2]

Games and Amusements Board
Lupon sa Palaro at Libangan
Agency overview
Formed1951 (1951)
JurisdictionPhilippines
HeadquartersMakati, Metro Manila
Parent departmentOffice of the President
Websitegab.gov.ph

History

The Games and Amusements Board initially started its operation in 1951 with the issuance of Executive Order No. 392. Through this particular law, the powers, duties and functions previously exercised, and performed by:[3]

  1. the city and municipal mayors over fronton and basque pelota games
  2. the Boxing and Wrestling Commission over boxing and wrestling
  3. the Commission on Races over horse racing, were consolidated and transferred to the Board

On March 20, 1974, upon the signing into law of Presidential Decree No. 420 creating the Philippine Racing Commission, the authority over horse racing was divided between the Board and the Philracom.[3] GAB retained the function of supervision and regulation of the betting aspect of horse racing, while all other functions related to horse racing were transferred to Philracom.

On January 6, 1976, the scope of GAB's regulatory function over professional sports widened as the agency was tasked to likewise supervise and regulate the professional basketball and other professional games in the country.[3]

The Board's regulatory function was also made more specific against anti-illegal gambling operations with the establishment of Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit (AIGU) on January 17, 1992 – which became one of GAB's units. AIGU initially was composed of personnel appointed by the Chairman of GAB and detailed staff from the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Racing Commission, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, other offices involved in gambling operations, as well as other law enforcement agencies in the country. On December 28, 1993, the board assumed part of the overall functions of the Gamefowl Commission, particularly insofar as international cockfight derbies are concerned.[3]

In October 2020, GAB issued a joint order with the Philippine Sports Commission classifying any athlete who gets paid for non-national team play will be considered as professionals. Any sporting events which are conducted for profit were classified as professional in nature. This effectively reclassified semi-professional leagues such as the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Although it is uncertain if the order covers sporting events as small as an inter-barangay leagues.[4]

Leadership

GAB, as an organization, is headed by a chairman and two commissioners[3]

  • Chairman: Abraham Mitra
  • Commissioner for Administrative and Finance: Mario Masanguid
  • Commissioner for Operations: Eduard Trinidad

Scope

Sports and activities

Among professional sports and activities that the GAB regulates are:

Sports
Other activities

It is also mandated to crack down against illegal gambling practices in professional sports.[2]

Leagues

The following are the sports leagues that are sanctioned by the GAB.*

*Prior to the GAB-PSC Joint Resolution No. 2020-01[4]

GAB considers leagues where participating athletes "play for pay" should be under its supervisions under its mandate. In November 2018, the GAB has announced plans to put leagues which meets this criteria under its supervision such as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, and volleyball league Philippine Super Liga despite some of the leagues' players still simultaneously playing in collegiate leagues.[9]

Combat Sports Organizations

References
  1. Mga pangalan ng tanggapan ng pamahalaan sa Filipino. Philippines. Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino,, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (Philippines) (Edisyong 2013 ed.). Intramuros, Manila. 2013. ISBN 978-971-0197-22-4. OCLC 881849437.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. "Games and Amusements Board". Games and Amusements Board. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  3. "Historical Background". Games and Amusements Board. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  4. Navarro, June (23 October 2020). "PVL, PSL, MPBL to discuss professional label with teams, lawyers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  5. "GAB grants PFL professional license". Fox Sports Philippines. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  6. Sheldon, David (22 October 2017). "Philippines Officially Recognizes eSports As A Real Sport". Casino Org. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  7. Regalado, Pia (10 October 2017). "The Philippines' new athletes: eSports gamers". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  8. Giongco, Mark (22 September 2020). "EASL gets GAB backing for next year's home-and-away games". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  9. "GAB Chairman warns commercial leagues". Manila Bulletin. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Historical Background". Games and Amusements Board. Retrieved 5 July 2017.

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