MORE than 500 lottery outlets across Central Luzon were closed down by personnel of Police Regional Office (PRO) Central Luzon Saturday, July 27, 2019, hours after President Rodrigo Duterte issued the order suspending all gaming schemes authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
PRO-Central Luzon Regional Director Joel Coronel disclosed that 342 lotto outlets, 151 Small Town Lottery, and 11 other establishments have been shut down.
He noted that the Central Luzon police’s massive crackdown will continue to ensure that no gaming establishment franchised by PCSO will be allowed to operate until Duterte’s order is lifted.
“As we are gearing up with our operations, we would like to warn those PCSO franchise holders who continue to operate in the region to cease and desist from engaging business, following the provisions stipulated in their franchise or face penalties under existing laws,” Coronel warned.
He also urged to public to report illegal gambling activities in their respective communities to the nearest police stations or through the Philippine National Police hotline number 09998838327 or 09176235700.
Duterte gave law enforcers 24 hours starting July 27 to stop the gaming activities operated, licensed and franchised by PCSO due to alleged "massive corruption" in the agency.
These include outlets for lotto, STL, keno and peryahan ng bayan.