PCSO shifts to automated lottery system

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Sunday shifted to an automated lottery system for enhanced efficiency and transparency.

The new Philippine Lottery System (PLS) will help in the centralization of sales reports, generation of winning numbers and more accessible validation of tickets, leading to improved efficiency and transparency for both the PCSO and lottery players, the agency said.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades «Mel» Robles and other agency officials witnessed the transition at the PLS Command and Control Center at the PCSO Conservatory Building in Mandaluyong City.

«We are thrilled to embark on this significant transition towards automation of our system for our lotto games. The Philippine Lottery System Project is a testament to our commitment to innovation and providing the best experience for our valued customers,» said Robles.

«Through the joint venture with Philippine Gaming and Management Corp., Pacific Online Systems Corp. and International Lottery Totalizator System Inc., we will bring about a new era of efficiency, transparency and convenience in lottery operations,» he added.

For the past two decades, the PCSO has used two separate lottery systems for its lotto outlet's ticket-selling operations — the PGMC system for Luzon and the POSC system for the Visayas and Mindanao.

«All lottery operations are now seamlessly integrated into a unified platform,» Robles said.

The agency's plan to install a centralized lottery system has long been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project, which cost P5.6 billion, was initiated by the previous administration and went through public bidding.

The winning bidder was granted a Notice to Proceed on Dec. 6, 2021, and initially given 14 months to implement the PLS.