PCSO starts e-lotto trial run; 6/55, 6/58 jackpot prizes now a combined P1 billion

The  Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has started the pilot test of e-lotto, the digital version of the lottery games.

This PCSO also raised the minimum jackpot prizes in the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and Grand Lotto 6/58 to P500 million each on December 16, or a combined P1 billion. 

E-Lotto is a digital lottery platform targeted to make betting convenient and accessible for Filipinos. It is currently available on their website but the PCSO said it is eyeing to launch a mobile application version “soon”. 

“If you would remember during the pandemic, the sales of PCSO went down dramatically, precisely because there was no option but to go to the stores,” PCSO General Manager Mel Robles told reporters in a media briefing.

“This is one of the reasons why we would like to launch this. Should anything happen, at least may option tayo kasi ang kawanggawa po hindi pwedeng maghintay at di pwede ipagpaliban. Kailangan namin to continuously generate funds,” he said. 

(This is one of the reasons why we would like to launch this. Should anything happen, we have an option. This will help us generate revenues.)

The PCSO said it is expecting its projected sales to increase to up to P70 billion next year with the release of the e-lotto. 

Those who want to register must be 18 years old and above. They also need a government-issued ID and a local mobile number to register. 

Bettors may also use e-wallets such as Gcash to top-up credits for the digital lotto system. They may also receive prizes electronically. 

Pacific Online Systems Corporation (POSC), the system provider for the e-lotto, said their system is secured. 

“Our lotto system has a comprehensive security program in place. This is to protect player data from unauthorized data access or even disclosure. We have measures such as data encryption, access control, security audits, audit logs, network security, and data loss prevention,” Jackson Ongsip, POSC President, said. 

P1 billion in prizes

Meanwhile, Robles said the PCSO will be offering a total of P1 billion in prizes for lucky bettors after they hiked the minimum prizes for the 6/58 and 6/55 lotto games to P500 million each. 

This will be in line with the PCSO’s “Handog Pakabog” Christmas draws.

“We’re giving out more than P1 billion in prizes. The games 6/58 and 6/55 starting tomorrow will have P500 million each,” he said. 

“We made it sweeter by making it 500 million ‘yung dalawang jackpots…We’ll give you the best of both worlds. We give you a big jackpot and we’ll give also the chance to help. That’s our Christmas gift,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News