High public trust, confidence soar PCSO revenues

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan revealed that the agency continues to have high public trust and confidence in its gaming products such as Lotto, Sweepstakes and Small Town Lottery (STL) as evident in the January to November gross sales, which is up by 18 percent compared to the same period last year.

“Nakikita naman ng tao na napaka-transparent ang ahensiya. Kumita man o hindi, ibinabalita namin. Kaya walang rason para hindi sila magtiwala sa amin. There are just some things that are beyond our control like budget cut for the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) dahil nga nag-over utilize na kami. Hopefully, this is just temporary,” said Balutan.

In a data provided by the Gaming, Product Development and Marketing Sector headed Assistant General Manager Arnel Casas, the overall revenues of PCSO from January to November registered a whopping P56,997,652,257.63, short of P3 billion from the P60 billion target set by the agency by the end of the year, but 18 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

The figure does not include yet the November sales from STL, which is more or less P2 billion.

“Hindi na masama. We already surpassed the P55 billion initial target this year, but we adjusted it to P60 billion due to the roll out of STL. We also strengthened Lotto products nationwide. Kaya P56 billion is really something – thanks to the hard work of our employees, Lotto agents, Small Town Lottery (STL) agents specially their caboes, cobradores, and organic employees,” said Balutan.

Of the P56 billion gross sales, P29.92 billion came from Lotto and digit games, STL at P21.97 billion (Jan. to Oct. only), Keno at P4.14 billion, and Instant Sweepstakes at P958.36 million.

Compared to the same period last year, Lotto is up by 2.65 percent; while STL is up by 58 percent. Of all Lotto games, Ultra Lotto 6/58 is still the highest earning product from January to November at P7 billion, followed by Mega Lotto 6/42 at P2.4 billion, Super Lotto 6/49 at P2.5 billion, Grand Lotto 6/55 at P2.3 billion, and Lotto 6/42 at P2.1 billion.

As for the digit games, 3-Digit is the highest earning product at P6.8 billion, EZ2 at P6 billion, 4-Digit at P439 million, and 6-Digit at P236 million.

“Many people would like to discredit the contribution of STL in the overall revenues of PCSO. Pero kung titignan natin, second highest earning product ang STL. Marami talagang gustong kumurot diyan. They want STL out, para ano? Makapag-illegal uli sila? We must remember, wala tayong nakukuhang revenues sa illegal numbers gaya ng jueteng. Mga gambling lords lang nakikinabang diyan. Pero ang STL, tignan niyo naman ang ipinapasok na revenues sa gobyerno,” stressed Balutan.

PCSO Charter, or RA 1169, particularly on revenue allocation, provides that the revenue of the PCSO shall be allocated to 55 percent for prize fund (payment of prizes), 30 percent for charity fund (various charity programs and service) and 15 percent as operating fund (maintenance and operating expenses).

From January to November, the agency has helped 481,712 patients, releasing the amount of P8.15 billion, which is up by 16 percent compared to the same period last year.