MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) stopped the operation of its e-lotto app on Saturday, July 13.
An announcement posted on the e-lotto site explained that access to the app was halted to allow the PCSO to improve the platform.
The PCSO encouraged potential bettors to place their bets through the traditional way at various lotto outlets nationwide.
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“Starting July 13, 2024, hindi na po kayo makabibili ng lotto tickets through the E-Lotto App. Pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin kayong makabibili ng lotto tickets sa inyong suking lotto outlets,” the announcement states.
(Starting July 13, 2024, you can no longer purchase lotto tickets through the E-Lotto application. But, you may continue buying lotto tickets through your favorite lotto outlets.)
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The PCSO likewise asked winners via e-lotto to withdraw their prize from the e-lotto wallet on or before July 31 and transfer it to their GCash accounts.
“Para sa mga e-lotto players na may top-up at winnings sa e-lotto wallets, pinapayuhan namin po kayong i-withdraw na ito on or before July 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. para mai-transfer na sa inyong GCash accounts,” it added.
(For e-lotto players who have top-ups and winning in e-lotto wallets, we advise you to withdraw these before July 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m., so that you can transfer them to your GCash accounts.)
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As for players who have “advance draw tickets after July 12,” the PCSO advised to not worry because these tickets will remain valid and included in the scheduled draw. The agency, however, urged them to take a screenshot of their advance draw tickets on or before July 31.
“Sa mga e-lotto players na may mga advance draw tickets after July 12, 2024, huwag pong mag-alala dahil ang mga tickets na iyan ay valid at kasali pa rin sa ating scheduled draw. Gayunman, pinapayuhan po namin kayo na i-screenshot ang lahat ng inyong advance draw e-lotto tickets on or before July 31, 2024,” it said.
(For e-lotto players with advance draw tickets after July 12, 2024, do not worry as these tickets are valid and are included in the scheduled draws. Nevertheless, we advise you to screenshot all advance draw e-lotto tickets on or before July 31, 2024.)
The pilot program of PCSO e-lotto was launched in December 2023. It was planned to run for a year.
In February, however, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III called for a halt on the pilot tests, citing “risks.”