Penalizing Betting, Game-Fixing Or Point Shaving And Machinations In Sports Contests

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 483

Definitions (Section 1):
- Betting: Wagering money or valuable objects on the result of sports contests.
- Game-fixing: Arranging or predicting the result of a sports contest through dishonest means.
- Point-shaving: Deliberately limiting a player's or participant's ability to score points to influence the result.
- Game-machinations: Any fraudulent or dishonest means to influence the result of a sports contest.

Prohibitions (Section 2):
- Game-fixing, point-shaving, machinations, and betting (except as authorized by law) in sports contests like basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, chess, boxing, jai-alai, sipa, pelota, and others are declared unlawful.

Penalties (Section 3):
- For officials, promoters, referees, umpires, judges, coaches, managers, sponsors, participants, or players involved in a syndicate of five or more persons: Prision correccional in its maximum period (4 years, 9 months, and 11 days to 6 years) and a fine of 2,000 pesos with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.
- For any other offender: Prision correccional in its medium period (2 years, 4 months, and 1 day to 4 years, 2 months) and a fine of 1,000 pesos with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.
- For government officials or employees involved: Same penalty as above, plus disqualification from holding public office or employment for life. If an alien, deportation may be imposed.

Voluntary Disclosure and Clearance (Section 4):
- No person who voluntarily discloses or denounces the prohibited acts to the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation, National Sports Associations, or law enforcement authorities shall be arrested, detained, or prosecuted, except upon prior written clearance from the President of the Philippines and/or the Secretary of National Defense.

Repealing Clause (Section 5):
- Article 197 of the Revised Penal Code and other inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, and regulations are repealed.

Effectivity (Section 6):
- This Decree shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation by the Secretary of the Department of Public Information.