The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has initiated legal proceedings against four electronic lotto operators, alleging that they amassed over PHP4.7 billion in bets between April 2022 and June this year.
PCSO’s General Manager, Mel Robles, filed charges against Eplayment Corp., Paymero Technologies Limited, GlobalComRCI International, and Blockchain Smart-Tech Co. IT Consultancy, accusing them of violating laws against illegal gambling. These operators are alleged to have operated unauthorized e-lotto games like “SureLotto” and “PakiLotto.”
This action follows an extensive investigation by PCSO and the National Bureau of Investigation, revealing that these operators falsely represented themselves as government-licensed entities. The investigation, which commenced last year, has now produced substantial evidence to substantiate the charges.
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The cooperation of electronic payment platforms, particularly PayMaya, played a pivotal role in supporting the government’s efforts. PayMaya reported transferring PHP4.7 billion to one of these unlicensed operators.
The staggering PHP4.7 billion amassed in just over a year by a single operator underscores the severity of the situation.
This legal action represents a critical step in regulating the e-lotto industry and preventing unauthorized operators from taking advantage of the system.
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via Philstar.com