The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said it could have remitted higher dividends to the government if illegal gambling operations in the country were neutralized.
PCSO general manager Mel Robles issued the statement after the agency was recognized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for its significant contribution to the national treasury.
The recognition was given during the 2024 Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation’s Day at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
PCSO turned over to the national treasury a dividend contribution of P2.68 billion. The amount represents a significant increase from its 2022 contribution of P2.67 billion.
PCSO said it achieved a notable revenue of P61.45 billion in 2023, marking a 7-percent rise from the total gaming revenue of P57.467 billion in 2022.
“We have been working very hard to raise as much revenue as we can, so that we can hand higher remittances to the national treasury which the government could use in its socio-economic initiatives, and high priority programs,” Robles said.
“However, our goal is being stymied by the proliferation of illegal gambling operators who were using the PCSO-sanctioned games to line their pockets while greatly affecting our potential earnings,” he said.
Robles said illegal gambling operations had a detrimental impact on the revenue generated by the agency, as the income losses deprive poor Filipinos of the healthcare and other assistance and benefits the PCSO provides.
Among the illegal games that the PCSO is trying to combat are bookies, jueteng, unauthorized small-town lottery draws and illegal online lotto operations, he said.
Authorities estimate that the PCSO is losing billions of pesos in potential revenue to illegal gambling operators annually.
Robles said, however, he is confident that PCSO would surpass its target income this year despite the continued operations of illegal gambling.
He vowed to intensify their campaign against illegal lotto operators while urging the gaming public to support the fight against illegal gambling by patronizing only PCSO-sanctioned games.
Under Republic Act 7656, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) such as the PCSO should remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings to the national treasury.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto increased the remittance rate to 75 percent for 2023 earnings to support the Marcos administration’s priority infrastructure, social development, and economic projects.
Robles emphasized the agency’s continuous commitment to conducting and supporting various charitable and health programs nationwide despite Recto’s increased remittance requirements.