Seeing the same, in the place where i live, government officials are also participating, especially those police who love this gambling. Gamblers are free to play since they are heavily protected.
Police professionals here in our country are not allowed to participate in any form of gambling, especially in gambling like cockfighting.
That was prohibited because it might lead to self-interest and abuse. It will lead to kicking on the service permanently.
You will never see police here playing that gambling game that's why as much as possible they are hiding their identities just to play this gambling game.
i assume it is like here in my country and they are allowed to play if they are not in their uniform and as civilians?
As far as I know there is no law against public officials partaking in gambling or betting, but makes much sense those laws exist somewhere, to avoid corruption.
However, there are towns and small settlements here where cockfighting and sport betting are one of the few way for the population to entertain themselves, it would be hard to outlaw betting for officers and public workers in that context.