Lotto and Small Town Lottery (STL) outlets in Bohol were closed on Saturday morning after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared all Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gaming ‘illegal’.
Lotto operators said that their machines appeared “offline” on Saturday morning when they opened their outlets.
Some residents still came to these outlets to bet for the supposed 11 a.m. draw for “Swertres” game but went home dismayed.
One bettor who requested anonymity told Bohol Island News (BIN) that he was sad about this development.
“I am sad because I am stripped of my chance to become a millionaire,” he told BIN.
This man from Tagbilaran City has been betting since 2010.
He usually spends P48 for two draws from Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He spends P72 for three draws every Tuesday.
“I didn’t mind my loses because I know my money goes to charities supported by PCSO,” he said.
Duterte had also nullified all the gaming permits issued by PCSO.
He added that these permits were granted “in favor of corruption” and “some large corporations”.
In his video message aired via the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Friday night, Duterte said he is doing this on the grounds of alleged corruption in the PCSO.
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