Not sure foreigners can bet in the Philippines.....

Wanted to make a trip to the Philippines for the big fight May 2nd(3rd morning/noon over here). I thought it would be fun to be around the locals for such a big fight and of course, see their hero in action.

Sure enough, found the sportsbook based in the PI online, but to my shock they don't allow foreigners to bet and Filipino's must present ID and are given a tax receipt on winnings over apx. $240.usd....yes, you read that correctly, 240.usd aka 10,000.piso.

Their kind customer service reply said I could apply for a local ID card at immigration and then play. I'm not sure how this works, but won't bother anyhow as I'm not interested in penny annie bullshit like this. Yes, I'm sure at cock fights and illegal bookmakers, no such hassle.

Anyone have on the ground experience with the sportsbooks in the Philippines?

Quote: NokTang

Anyone have on the ground experience with the sportsbooks in the Philippines?

Sorry for the not so timely reply; I just now saw this and hope it is still of some use to you.

Yes, in general, foreigners can and often do place wagers at some legal brick & mortar places in the PI. At least that was the case a few years ago. I have done so, at three places: two in metro-Manila, including at one that was a small upscale lounge type place in Makati, and another in the metro area that was a popular very crowded scruffy betting parlor in Ermita within about ten or fifteen minutes walking distance of the US Embassy; and I also have done so at a place connected to an Australian owned hotel called Swagman Resort & Hotel in Pampanga province near Angeles City. However, I don't know about wagers specifically for this type of event. I also don't know anything about the status of internet wagering there.

I suggest looking up Swagman's in AC (not the Manila area location, the other one in Balibago/Angeles) to ask if they are taking action on this, not necessarily to go up there in particular but just to see if their little race & sports book that caters almost exclusively to foreigners at their hotel is good to go for this. If they are, others surely will be. I should say it has been about 5 yrs since I was at Swagman's, so I'm just assuming they still operate the small book they had on the property. If nothing else, they do operate their own travel agency (mostly for arranging itineraries & making bookings for Australian visitors) which could probably help you with more authoritative & up to date information even if not at one of their hotels. Here is the contact information I have for them:

Swagman Resort & Hotel
S. L. OROSA ST. DIAMOND SUBDIVISION, ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES 2009
Tel: +63-45-322-5133 Fax: +63-45-322-5231 Office: +63-45-624-6260

Good luck. Who are you betting? The Filipino national pride "home" side, I'd guess.

Quote: DrawingDead

Good luck. Who are you betting? The Filipino national pride "home" side, I'd guess.

Thanks for your reply.

Swagman used to only take simulcast Australian horse racing. I don't know currently. I don't know if it was part of the pari-mutual pool either. I have a friend in AC, I'll ask him to check. The book on the internet indicates part of the Century Hotel and Casino in AC, an outlet. My inquiry was answered as indicated.

Floyd is I think minus 180, Manny plus 150 at said book. Naturally, I like Mayweather but would cheer for Manny if in the Philippines. Don't want to get killed or tossed into a cock pit.

http://www.megasportsworld.com/UI/Default.aspx?page

At MSW Outlet:

Visit the nearest MSW PAGCOR Outlets/ Partner Outlets and check out the available sports and latest odds
2. Select the event you want to place a bet on. There are many bet types available and the MSW representative will assist you with your questions and help you with everything you need to know.
Inform the MSW representative of your selection to be entered in to the betting terminal.
Provide a Valid ID and payment to the MSW representative.
Confirm the bet details with the MSW representative.
Sign the two (2) copies of the bet ticket receipt that will be printed out.
Keep one copy of the bet ticket receipt.

Quote: NokTang

Thanks for your reply.

Swagman used to only take simulcast Australian horse racing. I don't know currently. I don't know if it was part of the pari-mutual pool either. I have a friend in AC, I'll ask him to check.

Ah, I was going off foggy memory from AC, and maybe it was just sports broadcasts with only race wagering when I was there too. I know I plunked a few PhP notes on something there, but don't know what.

I got curious and started nosing around the Casino Filipino (PAGCOR) sites, and found no mention of a book at their brick & mortar locations. Not an encouraging result, obv.

Quote: NokTang

Naturally, I like Mayweather but would cheer for Manny if in the Philippines. Don't want to get killed or tossed into a cock pit.

Said a wise fellow on the web with a sober grasp of self-interest.