An official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) insisted that they do not manipulate the results of their lotto games. This is in front of consecutive hits by one bettor in two lotto draws that both have a jackpot of over P600 million.
In the continuation of the hearing of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement this Thursday, Senator Raffy Tulfo revealed to PCSO General Manager Mel Robles, the suspicion of some that the agency is being bet on to win a big jackpot.
“Ang sinasabi ng ilan, meron kayong plinanta na tao para tayaan ang lahat ng possible combinations. Ginawa niyo ‘yun, P280 million ang ginastos… 14 million combinations napakatagal ‘yon kung tutuusin…Now, ang sinasabi ngayon nila, possible naman daw ‘yon, especially na itong 6/49 ay pinanalunan online,” said Tulfo.
“Puwedeng manipulahin ‘yung machine na para magkaroon ng automatic sequence betting na in a matter of minutes or hours, kaya nang matayaan ang lahat ng numero,” he added.
It was on January 16 when a bettor hit the over P640-M jackpot in the Super Lotto 6/49, while the following day a bettor also won the over P698-M jackpot in the Grand Lotto 6/55.
In the hearing, Robles said that even though they were able to release P1.3 billion in their big prize promotion that started in December, the PCSO reportedly earned P2.2 billion.
PCSO insists no manipulation in lotto results
Robles also assured the senator that they do not manipulate the results of the lotto games.
“We would like to assure you that you can never, never manipulate it. That’s why we are allowed to bet, Mr. Chair. Even I can bet because it’s beyond me. Even if we wanted to, with the system we have, we cannot,” said Robles.
“I take exception na kayang panalunin. Definitely, madami pong tataya kung malaki ang jackpot. ‘Yun po naman ang objective namin– to really bring in bettors,” he added.
Although it is said that all combinations can be bet on, it is not guaranteed that they will win.
Tulfo also criticized the increase in the lottery prize that could have been used for other projects such as helping.
Robles explained, that is a tactic to encourage many people to bet so that they can make a lot of money.
“We made P800 million net, not to mention the taxes generated,” said Robles.
Robles also clarified that only 30 percent of PCSO revenue can be used for charity under the law.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.