PCSO resumes STL operations

CEBU, Philippines —  Authorized agent corporations may now resume small town lottery operations after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted its suspension.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma announced on Facebook the lifting of the suspension of STL operations.

“We are happy to announce that pursuant to the recommendation of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the President lifted the suspension of the operations of STL,” she said.

Garma said authorized agents that are compliant with the conditions of their STL agency agreement and have been remitting the guaranteed minimum monthly retail receipts may now operate.

In July, the President suspended all of PCSO’s gaming operations with franchises, licenses or permits granted by the PCSO, including lotto, due to alleged corruption. He lifted the suspension of lotto games a few days later.

Following the lifting of the suspension of the STL operations, Cebu City Police Office director Police Colonel Gemma Vinluan said they will monitor all outlets to ensure that only authorized outlets are operating in the city. She warned illegal operators that they will be arrested.

She reminded STL operators to comply with the requirements set by PCSO before resuming their operation.

“May listahan na tayo ng mga authorized at yung hindi authorized so doon tayo magbabase. Mag countercheck rin tayo sa PCSO, pwede naming i-validate kung authorized ba ito or hindi, kung hindi ay sasampahan natin ng kaukulang kaso.” Vinluan said. — FPL (FREEMAN)