Sorry to burst your bubble, but lotto and other games will remain suspended despite the downgrading of quarantine classification in areas collectively known as National Capital Region (NCR)-plus.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) confirmed that the selling of lotto tickets and other digit games - including the conduct of Small Town Lottery (STL) draws - remains suspended from April 12 to 30, 2021 in areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
In an announcement issued Monday night, April 12, PCSO said pursuant to the latest government directive placing Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal as well as Santiago City, Quirino, and Abra under MECQ in the said period, “selling of tickets all of PCSO games” and the conduct of STL draws in the said areas “shall remain suspended.”
Likewise, PCSO noted that pursuant to the Executive Order issued by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur and La Union placing several cities and municipalities under MECQ, selling of lotto tickets, digit games, instant sweepstakes and STL shall “remain suspended” but the conduct of STL draws “shall be maintained.”
Meanwhile, PSCO noted that STL and Keno draws and selling of instant sweepstakes in areas not covered by MECQ shall be “maintained unless otherwise superseded by issuances pertaining to quarantines classification.”
PCSO also clarified that its gaming operations in other areas shall follow the respective local government unit (LGU) quarantine or localized lockdown guidelines.
The PCSO has been urging the public to patronize its games to generate funds for its Medical Access Program which program seeks to augment the medical needs of Filipinos nationwide – particularly hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, and post-transplant medicines.
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However, amid the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, PCSO encouraged the public to “stay home and stay safe.”
On April 4, PCSO said that lotto and other digit games - including the conduct of STL - remain suspended from April 5 to 11, 2021 in ECQ areas.
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On March 30, PSCO said that lotto and digits games operations in areas outside the National Capital Region (NCR)-plus were allowed to resume.
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