By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A legitimate PCSO lotto franchise allegedly turned into a front for illegal gambling in Caloocan City, prompting a joint government raid that ended with the arrest of a teller and the seizure of cash, betting materials and lottery equipment.
The operation was carried out on November 4 by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the National Bureau of Investigation’s Fraud and Financial Crimes Division along Camarin Road in Barangay 177.
Investigators reportedly uncovered unauthorized betting slips and GCash transactions during surveillance and a test-buy, indicating that wagers were being accepted outside the official lotto system.
Authorities confiscated around ₱5,000 in bet money, an illicit betting ticket and a mobile phone allegedly used for payment transactions. Lotto terminal equipment, scanners, printers, a modem and ticket rolls for several PCSO games were also seized.
PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles warned accredited agents against exploiting their franchises to facilitate unauthorized gambling.
He stressed that legitimate PCSO wagers support health programs, medical assistance and charitable services, while illegal operations divert funds intended for public welfare.
The agency urged bettors to use authorized lotto terminals and report outlets issuing suspicious receipts or accepting payments through alternative applications.
