The Games and Amusements Board (GAB), a government agency in the Philippines responsible for regulating sports activities, has passed a new resolution that exempts foreign professional esports players from mandatory drug testing for short-term tournaments in the Philippines.
The policy was discussed during a courtesy visit by representatives from the Philippine Esports Organisation (PESO) to GAB. The meeting focused on the implementation of GAB Resolution No. 2026-13, which aims to support and grow the Philippine esports industry.
Under the new resolution, foreign esports players joining tournaments in the Philippines will be issued a Special Esports License (SEL) instead of a regular professional GAB license. The SEL will be valid only for a specific tournament and cannot exceed 30 days.
Previously, all applicants for a professional GAB license were required to undergo mandatory drug testing. According to stakeholders, this created logistical problems for international teams taking part in short-term esports events.
With the new policy, foreign players applying for the SEL only need an endorsement from a GAB-sanctioned tournament organiser and must pay the required license fees. The move is expected to make it easier for international teams and tournament organisers to join events in the country while still following existing laws and regulations.
GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco J. Rivera said, “We look at this (Esports) as a private sector-driven enterprise. So, the government would interfere the least. Thanks to PESO, we were able to apply some sort of an imaginative approach to our situation. And hopefully, with this move, we could place the Philippines once again in the world map of esports hosting. That’s our approach.”
During the meeting, GAB and PESO said the change is important in creating a more efficient and globally competitive esports environment in the Philippines. The groups also said the policy could help attract more international esports tournaments and support sports tourism in the country.
PESO officials also pointed to the economic benefits of hosting major esports events. They said previous international tournaments held in the Philippines brought tourism activity, media exposure, and positive economic impact for local businesses.
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