PCSO could turn to automation of small-town lottery

The Philippine entity PCSO said that it is analysing the possibility of automating the small-town lottery in order to address rising corruption.

Philippines.- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) revealed on Friday that it is looking into new ways to address corruption. As part of that initiative, the PCSO is studying the possibility of automating small-town lottery (STL).

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma announced the move during the agency’s budget briefing before the House Appropriations Committee. “We’re going into automation to be able to get the exact sales and we are studying the possibility [of] how we will implement this the soonest possible time,” said Garma, according to ABS CBN News.

The general manager explained that the problem is how much the paper costs. “The paper is even more expensive than the bet which is at P1. That’s what we’re looking at,” she said.

Last week, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lidded the suspension on STL. They had been suspended last month under suspicion of “massive corruption”. The suspension was lifted under the condition of authorized agent corporations (AACs) complying with PCSO conditions.

If operators don’t comply with the PCSO conditions, they could lose their franchises, Garma said. “Those who don’t pay their debts, they’ve been given two weeks to comply. If they don’t a termination order will be issued,” she said.