Games and Amusements Board

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

Games and Amusements Board
Lupon sa mga Laro at Libangan
Agency overview
Formed1951 (1951)
JurisdictionPhilippines
HeadquartersMakati, Metro Manila
Parent departmentOffice of the President of the Philippines
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.[4]

Leadership

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

  • Chairman: Richard Santos Clarin
  • Commissioner for Administrative and Finance: TBA
  • Commissioner for Operations: TBA

Scope

Sports and activities

Professional sports and activities the GAB regulates include:

Sports
Other activities

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

Leagues

The following are the national and top-flight sports leagues that are sanctioned by the GAB.

Sanctioned leagues by the Games and Amusements Board
League Sport Gender Sanctioned since Ref.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3Basketball (3x3)Men's2020
Filipino Basketball LeagueBasketballMen's2022
MPL PhilippinesEsportsMen's2018
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball LeagueBasketballMen's2021
National Basketball LeagueBasketballMen's2021
Philippine Basketball AssociationBasketballMen's1975
Philippines Football LeagueAssociation footballMen's2017[5]
Pilipinas Super LeagueBasketballMen's2022
Pilipinas VisMin Super CupBasketballMen's2021
Premier Volleyball LeagueVolleyballWomen's2020
Professional Chess Association of the PhilippinesChessMixed2020
The NationalsEsportsMixed2019
Women's National Basketball LeagueBasketballWomen's2021
East Asia Super LeagueBasketballMen's2020[8]

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 volleyball league Spikers' Turf despite some of the leagues' players still simultaneously playing in collegiate leagues.[9]

Combat Sports Organizations

References
  1. "Official Statement (June 30, 2023)". Games and Amusements Board. Facebook. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  2. "Games and Amusements Board". Games and Amusements Board. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  3. "Historical Background". Games and Amusements Board. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  4. Navarro, June (October 23, 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. May 3, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  6. Sheldon, David (October 22, 2017). "Philippines Officially Recognizes eSports As A Real Sport". Casino Org. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  7. Regalado, Pia (October 10, 2017). "The Philippines' new athletes: eSports gamers". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  8. Giongco, Mark (September 22, 2020). "EASL gets GAB backing for next year's home-and-away games". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  9. "GAB Chairman warns commercial leagues". Manila Bulletin. November 23, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2018.

Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: "Historical Background". Games and Amusements Board. Retrieved July 5, 2017.

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