Licensed eSabong operator Lucky 8 Star Quest has welcomed the enactment of the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM Registration Bill, saying that it will help curb illegal gambling in the country.

Lucky 8 Star Risk and Compliance manager Rommel Cruz lauded its ratification in Congress and said that its development will also complement gambling regulations, as well as help quash illegal gambling in the country.

This came after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed the bill on Monday.

The measure is seen to also help intensify its electronic Know Your Client procedures where the E-Sabong players who provide false identification can be eliminated.

"The new law will help control illegal gambling in the country. This will also intensify measures that Lucky 8 Star Quest has been advocating for eKYC," Cruz said.

"I'm hopeful that developments like this continue so we can help address the concerns of the public specially on providing controls on player identification for eSabong, limiting access to individuals aged 21 years old and above," he added.

Upon registration, players shall be required to submit and declare their basic information, recent photo, valid government ID, and source of funds. These requirements are imposed not only on the players, but on the agents and operators as well. These data are digitally recorded and follow security safeguards for its clients' information, similar to the requirements for SIM registration.

SIM registration also mandates all activated cards to register their SIM numbers within 180 days or face deactivation.

More regulations for eSabong are being pushed by different stakeholders of the industry in a bid to stop the proliferation of illegal operations, create a more stringent framework, and to help the economy.