Betting on Sports Betting

Sports aficionados will have another outlet to place their pesos where their passions are. The story from ABS-CBN News:

State-controlled gaming operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has approved the sports-betting contract between PhilWeb Corp. and RTG Studio Inc.

The original company disclosure here:
http://www.pse.com.ph/html/disclosure/pdf/2007/pdf/dc2007-0446_WEB.pdf

Cultural Tradition or Barbaric Practice?

Across the Pacific, in the land that gave us Kentucky Fried Chicken, a debate rages about putting roosters in an arena with blades attached to their legs. You’d never get this kind of thinking in the Philippines, where every community has its city hall, church, market, and cockpit– and in some towns the ranking of importance is not in that order. The Philippines without cockfighting? Think of Pamplona without the running of the bulls.

Cockfighting will be the subject of controversy later this month, as state lawmakers consider bills to ban it in New Mexico, one of two remaining states in the nation where the activity is legal. Backers of a ban contend cockfighting is inhumane and barbaric, while opponents argue it’s a cultural tradition.

If you’re not familiar with the U.S., guess which other state still allows rooster fights. Hint: it’s not one of those that licenses humans to risk brain damage by beating the crap out of each other until one is knocked unconscious. As one wag put it, whether it’s considered cultural tradition or inhuman cruelty depens on how much pay-per-view dollars can be generated.

Here’s one interested party:

Artesia resident Ronald Barron, 58, president of the New Mexico Gamefowl Breeders Association, said one misconception about the fights is that roosters are trained, when actually it’s their instinct to fight. He contends cockfighting isn’t animal cruelty because of that natural tendency.

“I’ve been raising these fowl for 38 years,” he said. “If you turn them loose, they’re going to hurt and kill each other; that’s what they’re genetically going to do.”

And the opposing view:

Las Crucen Bob Young, who styles himself an independent animal rights activist, said a cockfighting ban is long overdue. Young, who witnessed cockfights in the Philippines while he was in the armed forces, said the activity is driven by gambling and doesn’t belong in the state.

“It’d be like horse racing,” he said. “There wouldn’t be horse racing if there wasn’t gambling. And of course, psychologically — it’s the blood lust (that appeals to people), the violence, the dark side of human nature.”

Big Day in November

It’s a few weeks away, but you know it will again put the entire nation into a time warp. I’m talking about the Manny Pacquiao – Erik Morales fight, third of the series, scheduled for November 18 in Las Vegas. During fight No. 2 in January, all business in the Philippines stopped, and as the police reported, crime rates dropped. Expect the same this time around.

Just like Hollywood producers who will milk a concept even if it’s getting a bit tired, the two are at it for a third time. Who’s to blame them and their promoters? When you have two fighters who are heroes in their respective boxing-crazy countries, there will be enough fan interest on both sides to fill up the 16,000 seat venue, even if this is a non-title fight. The online and off-line betting action will be as furious as the punches.

Ahoy Gamers!

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