PCSO Agents’ Summit 2025: Emphasis on responsible gaming and innovation
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gathered around 430 Lotto and 79 Small Town Lottery (STL) agents from across the country at its Agents’ Summit on 13 May 2025, at the newly opened Foro de Intramuros.
With the theme “Beyond the Jackpot: A Commitment to Responsible Gaming,” the convention highlighted the significant role of agents in achieving ethical gaming and eliminating illegal operations. This convention, attended by more than 500 gaming experts, sought to redefine the arena of lottery and gaming operations in the Philippines based on ethics, innovation, and responsibility.
Opening remarks and key points of the summit
As the summit opened, excitement buzzed through the crowd. PCSO management emphasised that agents are not just salespeople but stakeholders, protectors, and public servants. PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles urged agents to become advocates of responsible gaming, stressing the importance of shielding players from exploitative practices and preserving the integrity of the games.
Robles stated, “As our valued agents, you are not only operators — you are advocates. Your role in promoting responsible gaming and protecting players from exploitative practices is crucial. Together, we must preserve the integrity of our games and shield the public from illegal operators who prey on vulnerability and misinformation.”
Robles emphasised that unlawful operators prosper on deception and the gullibility of unaware gamblers. He called on agents to remain steadfast as moral sentinels, promoting only level and regulated games. Robles added, “Ultimately, every bet placed through our legal channels contributes to a higher purpose: funding lives, saving lives.”
Summit’s main focus on responsible gaming
Responsible gaming encompasses transparency, fairness, and social consciousness.
- Police Major General Nicolas D. Torre III, head of the CIDG, emphasised how ethical operations can curb crime in his talk, “Beyond Regulation: The Role of Responsible Gaming in Stopping Illegal Gambling.” Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz from the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) highlighted the dangers of unregulated gambling. He stressed that responsible, well-regulated gaming is essential to combat these issues.
- Fe Celebrado from the Product Standard Development Division (PSDD) focused on game fairness in her talk, “Responsible Gaming Practices: Ensuring Fair Play and Social Responsibility,” discussing industry standards that protect both operators and players.
- May Cerelles from the Information Technology and Services Department showcased PCSO’s digital transformation, including digitised records and transparent draw results, moving towards a fully digital organisation.
- Donald Limcaco of DFNN introduced “Lottomatik,” a next-generation betting platform designed to revolutionise the lottery experience. Lottomatik promises real-time bets, enhanced user experience, data transparency, and fraud prevention, aiming to transform how Filipinos interact with the lottery.
Collaborative dialogue with stakeholders
The summit created an open setting wherein the agents expressed genuine concerns, ranging from operational issues to market competition. The summit ended with a very insightful panel presided over by GM Robles, Atty. Lyssa Grace Pagano, and Remeliza Jovita Gabuyo. Their message was straightforward but forceful: “Innovation, cooperation, and shared responsibility are the pillars of a sustainable gaming future.”
PCSO’s Vision for the Future
The summit reaffirmed PCSO’s commitment to an ethical, transparent, and community-centred gaming industry. By empowering agents as partners, not just employees, PCSO is laying the foundation for a gaming culture built on trust and purpose.
