Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Electronic Sports (E-Sports) in the Philippines

October 17, 2017

GAB RESOLUTION NO. 021-17

GUIDELINES GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF ELECTRONIC SPORTS (E-SPORTS) IN THE PHILIPPINES

QUOTED hereunder is the Resolution adopted by the Board during its 6th Regular Meeting for CY 2017 held on October 17, 2017, to wit:

WHEREAS, the Games and Amusements Board recognizes Electronic Sports (E-Sports) as professional sports under its jurisdiction;

WHEREAS, there is a need to formulate guidelines governing the conduct of E-Sports in the Philippines to effectively supervise and regulate this new professional sport; ASEcHI

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 871 confers upon GAB the power to prescribe additional rules and regulations to govern the operation and conduct of professional sports/games;

NOW, therefore, be it RESOLVED as it is hereby RESOLVED to adopt the following GUIDELINES GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF ELECTRONIC SPORTS (E-SPORTS) IN THE PHILIPPINES, to wit:

SECTION 1. Policy. — The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) shall encourage and give full support to new and emerging professional sports in the country. It shall likewise ensure the integrity of the sports and provide ample protection to all concerned at all times.

SECTION 2. Coverage. — These guidelines shall apply to all professional electronic sports (e-sports) or competitive video games, including real-time strategy, fighting, first-person shooter (FPS), multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), and other upcoming genres, where players or teams compete using computers or other electronic gadgets connected to the internet, local area network or other electronic systems for prize money and/or other compensation, except elimination or qualifying rounds participated in by enthusiasts and/or the general public involving only token prizes the amount or value of which do not exceed Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00).

SECTION 3. License. — All persons, entities or associations connected with, engaged or participating in the conduct or operation of professional E-Sports shall comply with the following licensing requirements:

a) Duly accomplished application form;

b) Two (2) copies 2x2 colored ID picture (white background);

c) Government issued ID;

d) Parental Consent (For Minors);

e) Income Tax Return or Statement of Assets & Liabilities (For Promoters);

f) Certificate of Membership or Letter of Endorsement from Accredited Association/Club or Professional License Card issued abroad (For New Applicants);

g) Drug Test results (THC and Methamphetamine)

3.1. Fees. The following fees shall be imposed.

LICENSE	FEE	LEGAL RESEARCH FUND
Promoter (Local or International)	P1,200.00	P12.00
Security Officer	1,000.00	10.00
Medical Officer	1,000.00	10.00
Team Manager	1,000.00	10.00
Team Trainer	1,000.00	10.00
E-Sports Player	800.00	10.00
Liaison Officer	800.00	10.00
Analyst	800.00	10.00

3.2. Validity.

 The license of a professional E-Sports Player shall be valid for one (1) year which must be renewed on or before his/her birthday.

 All other licenses shall be valid for two (2) years, subject to the payment of license fees equivalent to two (2) years, which must be renewed on or before the birthday of the licensee.

 A penalty of fifty percent (50%) of the basic license fee shall be imposed on late renewals.

SECTION 4. Permit. — No tournament, competition, or game of Professional E-Sports shall be held without permit duly issued by the Board.

The Promoter of such tournament, competition, or game shall file an application for the issuance of permit to the GAB at least ten (10) days before the date of the tournament, competition, or game.

4.1. Fees. The following fees shall be imposed for the issuance of permit:

	FEE	LEGAL RESEARCH FUND
Permit Fee Per Day	P800.00	P10.00

SECTION 5. GAB's Share on Income. — Any person, entity, or association conducting professional E-Sports shall set aside and remit to the Board three percent (3%) of the gross gate receipts and income from television, radio and motion picture rights, if any, not later than fifteen (15) days from the date of such tournament, competition or game. ITAaHc

A deposit of fifty percent (50%) of the estimated three percent (3%) share of GAB shall be remitted to the GAB prior to the day of the tournament, competition or game.

The following shall likewise be submitted for accounting purposes:

a) Printer's Affidavit containing the number, classification and prices of tickets printed;

b) Contract of the TV or Radio coverage or Motion Pictures, if any;

c) Report of actual tickets sold.

SECTION 6. Authority to Travel or Compete Abroad. — All professional Filipino E-Sports Players who shall join, participate, or compete in E-Sports tournaments or competitions abroad shall secure written authority from the Board prior to such tournament, competition or game.

SECTION 7. All other relevant provisions of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 871 and other policies, rules and regulations of the Games and Amusements Board in professional sports shall be applicable to, and are hereby adopted to govern, the conduct of professional E-Sports in the Philippines.

SO RESOLVED.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 17th day of October, 2017 at the City of Makati, Philippines.

APPROVED:

(SGD.) ABRAHAM KAHLIL B. MITRAChairman

(SGD.) EDUARD B. TRINIDADCommissioner

(SGD.) MARIO L. MASANGUIDCommissioner

ATTESTED:

(SGD.) OFELINA C. ARTUGUEChief, Administrative Officer & Board Secretary

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 114, No. 8, p. 1311-1313 on February 19, 2018.