The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had filed charges against four illegal lotto operators as the agency’s general manager, Mel Robles, led the formal filing of the complaint with the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office.

In a report by RH 05 Val Gonzales, Robles estimated that the said operators have earned a total of P4.7 billion in just a year, adding the usage of PCSO’s name and logo and the drawings of the games being promoted through an unauthorized mobile application and website.

According to Robles, the PCSO is losing billions of pesos in revenue due to the illegal operations perpetrated by the suspects, adding that they are serious about it.

He added that the office will prosecute and imprison everyone associated with the illegal operation.

The directors and owners of the four companies will face charges such as usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, violation of Presidential Decree 1602, Republic Act 9287, and Executive Order No. 13 Series of 2017.

Moreover, Robles stressed the PCSO’s commitment to preserving the integrity and legitimacy of its lottery games to ensure equal treatment and protection for the public.