Philippines President Shuts Down PCSO

President Rodrigo Duterte has halted all the gaming activities of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), including lottery.

All PCSO-granted franchises and licenses have been terminated. According to the National Capital Region Police Office, more than 21,000 gaming outlets have been shut down across the country, including 5187 lotto stores; 13,320 small town lottery kiosks; 2194 Peryahan ng Bayan outlets; and 472 Keno shops.

“I have today ordered the closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes or whatever nature however done that got the franchises to do so from the PCSO. The ground is massive corruption involving all. It becomes illegal because as of today all of those permits and concessions or whatever are terminated,” Duterte said.

“As of today I will not honor any order from any court stopping us or enjoining us to stop our desire to go into a massive investigation for the massive corruption that is existing in the PCSO,” the President added.

Police teams were sent out to shut down lotto and other PCSO gaming outlets in the country. The public has also been encouraged to report any illegal gambling activities in their area.

“We encourage the public to report to the police any suspected illegal gambling activity in their communities,” Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said.