The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) launched the trial phase of its online lottery system, E-lotto, aiming to modernize and expand its reach.
According to PCSO General Manager Mel Robles, the agency intends to make participating in lotto games more convenient and accessible for Filipinos aged 18 and above—including those residing overseas. As a result, PCSO expects to engage a broader player base and improve overall participation.
Currently, players can register through the E-lotto web platform. Moreover, Robles confirmed that PCSO plans to launch a dedicated mobile app next year. To register and place bets, users must provide a government-issued Philippine ID and an active Philippine SIM number.
Because of the new system, PCSO projects a total sales increase to ₱70 billion in 2024, up from this year’s ₱55.3 billion as of November. Robles attributed this anticipated growth to the ease and accessibility E-lotto offers, especially to tech-savvy bettors and overseas Filipinos.
Despite this shift toward digital platforms, Robles clarified that PCSO will continue to support and operate traditional lottery outlets. In fact, based on trends from other countries, he believes online betting can actually boost physical outlet performance. “When players use E-lotto, the outlets become even stronger,” he explained. “Why? Because the lottery remains jackpot-driven. The bigger the jackpot, the more people bet—both online and offline.”
To manage the one-year E-lotto trial, Pacific Online Systems Corporation (POSC) serves as PCSO’s exclusive agent. Jackson Ongsip, POSC President, assured the public that the platform employs advanced security protocols. “Our lotto system uses a comprehensive security program to protect player data from unauthorized access or disclosure,” Ongsip stated. “We enforce data encryption, access control, audit logs, network security, and loss prevention measures.”
To boost interest during the holiday season, Robles announced that starting December 16, 2023, the Grand Lotto 6/55 and Ultra Lotto 6/58 will each carry a minimum jackpot of ₱500 million under the ‘Handog Pakabog’ Christmas program. Additionally, PCSO may introduce another ₱500 million jackpot for other games by the end of the year. “We made it sweeter by making it ₱500 million dalawa jackpot. We’ll give you a big jackpot and we’ll also give you the chance to help,” Robles said.
PCSO underscored that proceeds from both digital and traditional lotto sales fund critical government charity initiatives. With the added convenience of E-lotto and the allure of larger prizes, PCSO expects wider participation, which will ultimately support more beneficiaries.
In the long run, E-lotto gives online players easier access to state lotteries while enabling PCSO to tap into previously unreachable markets. Consequently, this initiative marks a major step in expanding the agency’s national impact through technology.
