Tulfo bucks lotto online betting
SEN. Raffy Tulfo wants to prohibit online placing of bets for lotto games and instant paper games including digit games, Small Town Lottery (STL), and other instant paper games or the transition to E-lotto as defined by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) 2022 revised rules and regulations.
During Thursday’s hearing of the Senate the Ways and Means Subcommittee, Tulfo said he filed Senate Bill No. 2374 to address the issue being raised by various stakeholders against the PCSO’s new policy.
“In its effort to address the issues raised by PCSO’s stakeholders, this committee continuously endeavored to invite PCSO to shed light on all the controversies arising out of its move to transition to “E-Lotto.”
Our call fell on deaf ears, PCSO sent all kinds of excuses purposely to avoid and prevent this committee from performing its constitutionally mandated task. This has to end right here and right now,” Tulfo said.
The senator said the proposed bill strives to safeguard public welfare, protect vulnerable individuals and encourage responsible gambling practices, thereby contributing to a safer and more regulated gambling landscape in the nation.
Tulfo expressed alarm on the Lotto agents reportedly filing some complaints in his office which was related to its transition to E-Lotto resulting to controversies wherein agents has been losing some privileges like the hospitalization benefits, and PCSO terminating Agency Agreements with Lotto Agents before they can be allowed to have 100% transition in operating the E Lotto.
“Ito ay nagdudulot ng matinding pangamba sa mga Lotto Agents na may existing contracts sa PCSO. Hindi lingid sa ating kaalaman na ang mga Lotto Agents ay matagal ng kaagapay ng PCSO sa pagpapatupad ng mandato nito sa ilalim ng RA 1169 o ng PCSO Charter sa loob ng tatlong dekada.
At kasama sa kanilang mga reklamo ang pag deactivate ng Lotto Terminal Ticket Cancellation Feature na nag reresulta sa malakihan abono ng Lotto Agents, pagtanggal ng hospitalization benefits at pagkumpiska ng old machine ng PCSO,” the senator said.
