Spare lotto from suspension of PCSO games, operators ask Duterte

Lottery agents and outlet operators on Monday asked to President Rodrigo Duterte to let lotto operations continue amid the administration's crackdown on alleged corruption in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

According to a report by Rida Reyes in GMA News TV's Balitanghali, the Philippine Online Lottery Agents Association Inc. (POLAI) held a forum to express their sentiments on the order of the President to shut down all gaming operations with franchises, licenses or permits granted by the PCSO.

The group underscored that lotto is not illegal as 100 percent of its proceeds go straight to PCSO's charity assistance fund.

They also said that lotto was just dragged down by the illegal activities hounding the small time lottery (STL) and Peryahan ng Bayan.

POLAI urged Duterte to revive the operations of lotto, keno, and other games while the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation continues.

The group said that they want to have a dialogue with Duterte regarding the matter.

Duterte on Friday cited "massive corruption" when he suspended PSCO's gaming operations.

A day after the President's order, the Philippine National Police (PNP) closed around 2,000 lotto and small town lottery outlets in the country.