You heard of cockfighting and ended up on this page because you want to learn how to bet on cockfights, and we are here to give you every information you need to do so. But a little heads up! The concept may be disturbing for animal rights activists and those against animal cruelty because cockfighting is a type of blood sport, like dog and horse fighting, where animals are put to fight to the death. Many consider this as cruelty, not a sport. But there are crowds of people who enjoy watching blood sports and wager on them. If you are among those who enjoy cockfighting, this article is all you need to get into cockfight betting.
What Is Cockfighting and How Has It Been Practiced?
Believe it or not, enjoying seeing bloodshed in sports has been an ancient tradition in human history. Remember Gladiators!? The tradition survived and remained unchanged for thousands of years, with cockfighting, by far, being the most prevalent. Its roots go back to ancient times when the Greeks introduced it to the Romans and eventually to the Britains. However, modern history believes that the sport originated in Southeast Asia, the Philippines. Still, there is yet to be a definite origin for cockfighting, as each country that practices the sport has its historical relevance.
Although the practice of cockfighting and blood sports is banned in some religions like Islam, in Indonesia, it is a known tradition to perform rituals of cockfighting because it is a form of animal sacrifice to expel evil spirits.
In the Philippines, cockfighting is locally known as Sabong, and it is entirely legal to practice different kinds of cockfights. The biggest cockfight event in the world takes place every year in the Philippines and is called World Slasher. This global event is known as the Olympics of Cockfighting!
Advocates against animal cruelty actively work to make lawmakers ban cockfighting and blood sports because of the extreme cruelty involved in the sport. While some countries legally ban the practice, the sport is regulated as a mainstream event in others.
Cockfighting is illegal in 50 states of the US and some other countries. However, this does not mean people have stopped enjoying bloodshed! Underground cockfighting events take place all around the world, even in countries like Iran, where the practice is banned legally and according to religious teachings. Advocates’ legal fights led to some regulations in countries where cockfighting is widely practiced. Lawmakers in such countries only allow for authorized cockpits called Derbys where cockfighting can take place under strict rules and supervision. Cockfighting is illegal across the United States. As of 2022, according to the latest law enforcement, it is a felony offense in 42 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, possessing birds for fighting purposes is banned in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Since being a spectator at a cockfighting event is also illegal in 43 states and the District of Columbia, you will be penalized if you attend such an event and get caught. Also, the possession of cockfighting implements is prohibited in 15 states.
Cockfighting Rules
Roosters that participate in cockfighting are specifically bred for aggression. Through breeding, feeding, training, steroids, and vitamins, the rooters’ natural fighting instincts are exaggerated, and they become prepared to fight to the death. Here is the part that anti-animal cruelty activists claim to be against animal rights. Cockfighting roosters have different shapes and appearances due to their special training and nutrition. For example, the animal’s wattles—the combs below the beak – will be cut off by the breeder so its opponent cannot tear them off during a fight. A rooster spends several months of training before a fight. Their training involves running long obstacle courses (and even treadmills) and practicing fights with other roosters.
Once in the cockpit, i.e., ring, breeders fasten 3-inch blades, knives, or artificial gaffs to one of the legs of each bird, so they actually hurt each other. The blades are sharp enough to puncture a lung, pierce an eye or break bones. It is what fighting to the death actually means; this is why animal rights activists believe those who enjoy such events need psychotherapy!!!!! The event may take place in abandoned factories, backyards, or even basements and can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Although, according to the rules, there is no need for one or two birds to die for the winner to be declared, often, death is the inevitable outcome due to the severity of injuries.
Okay, back to the fighting rules! Once the blades are attached, two other chickens are brought into the arena to peck at the competing birds so the fighters get psyched up! It is primarily used in the standard one-on-one brawl, which is known as a hack fight. Then owners will rub the birds against each other so they realize the opponent is the one who should be killed!!
The fight ends when one bird is dead, or the injury is severe enough that it cannot peck at its opponent when the referee holds the two face-to-face. Another way to win is when one of the birds runs away, which is the most embarrassing way to lose for the bird’s owner!
How To Bet On Sabong
Unlike other sports, there are no complicated props or over/under odds in Sabong betting market. Also, you should not learn the weirdly complicated lingo of the sport to place successful bets. All you need to comprehend is that there are two fighters-roosters- in the middle of the ring. The crowd favorite is known as the llamado, which is the rooster with a higher chance of winning perhaps due to its form or breed. The underdog is known as dejado, which is expected to lose or has a lower chance of winning. Similar to other sports betting, wagering on the favorite has a lower risk and smaller payouts, while betting on the underdog earns you more winning but there is a higher risk of losing big money.
Sabong bets payouts depend on the odds offered for each rooster. The Sabong odds system works in percentage and starts with Sampu Siyam or 10%. Walo or dyes means twenty percent, Anim means thirty percent, and Tress is fifty percent. Sometimes, the odds for the rooster can go Doblado or 100 percent.
| Sabong Payout System | |
| Terms | Meaning |
| Parehas | Equal win/loss |
| lo dies | Your initial stake will be multiplied by 1.25 |
| Walo-anim | Betting 400 will earn you 550 |
| Onse | Betting 400 will earn you 550 |
| Tress | Bet 1,000 to win 1,500 |
| Sampu-anim | Bet 600 to win 1,000 |
| Doblado | Your initial stakes will be doubled |
You should not worry much about the terminology, as top Asian bookmakers provide complete information about each wager and its corresponding payouts. You should make sure to check the terms and conditions before placing any wager.
Can You Bet on Cockfighting Online?
Of course, you can. Although cockfighting and placing wagers on cockfights are illegal in the United States and many other countries, the practice is known as Sabong in the Philippines and is not only legal but pretty popular. According to the Philippines Games and Amusement Board, the Philippine cockfighting industry is worth over 1 billion US dollars annually. Online cockfighting streams are around a decade old but boomed in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the Philippines government decided to regulate the industry by licensing online cockfight gambling platforms and imposing taxes on bouts revenues.
Modern online cockfighting events developed by premium gaming developers from across the globe allow punters to wager on their favorite digital roosters. Most sites work within Asian jurisdictions where cockfighting is either legal or regulated, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Advantages Of Online Cockfight Betting
As mentioned, online cockfighting boomed in popularity in the last couple of years due to the following advantages it offers to players and punters:
Ease of access and play
Online cockfights allow you to play and place wagers on digital or even real roosters(in case of live events) from the comfort of your couch. You can download cockfighting apps and games from the App store, Google Play, or Microsoft store and quickly start fighting!
No cruelty involved!
The main concern in blood sports is the extreme aggression and brutality involved. However, online cockfighting resolved this issue. Developers designed the games for online play, so no animal is involved. It is the main reason behind an increased number of punters wagering on cockfighting recently. Each rooster has different abilities that work towards a punter’s advantage, depending on the match and situation. You should select which bird you think will win a fight.
Bonuses
Online bookmakers offer free stuff in the form of welcome packages and other promos to attract more players. It is an excellent opportunity to wager with their money and win cash!
Multiple Wagers
Unlike traditional games, where bettors were restricted to making a single wager at a time, depending on the number of rings and roosters participating, online cockfighting allows punters to wager on more than one outcome at the same time. This feature gives bettors enough freedom to make any wager or bets they are willing to.
Crypto
Online cockfight betting allows you to bet with crypto and win crypto. Then, you can withdraw your crypto winnings to credit cards and spend them as real money. It is an excellent way to gamble because cryptocurrencies are decentralized, and nobody can ask you where you got the money!
Can US Players Bet On Cockfights Online?
Yes, they can, as long as the bookmaker is legit and accepts US players. Make sure the site is not spam and it really does pay out. The best way for US punters to bet on cockfighting is to deposit and withdraw using BTC and crypto. There are a couple of trusted Asian gambling sites, like RescueBet and EU9 where you can find cockfighting games and betting options. Remember to check their terms and conditions and contact options because if they do not pay out, there is no way for you to sue them.
To Sum It Up
Although cockfighting and other blood sports have been around since God knows when the modern human community recognizes animal rights and advocates against animal cruelty work hard to make lawmakers ban any practice involving animal harm. For this reason, all 50 states in the US banned cockfighting and wagering on any bout. Similarly, many other countries ban blood sports because of religious, cultural, or animal implications. Still, a considerable number of people enjoy such events. The best solution for this dilemma is online games and gambling sites that allow people to practice what they like without causing any harm to poor cocks!