TWENTIETH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  1948
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Currently the Lotto Games are played online at lotto outlets nationwide. The Lotto 
Outlets are operated by Lotto Agents duly qualified and authorized by the Philippine Charity 
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The Lotto Agents are small entrepreneurs, retirees, seniors, 
PWDs, former OFWs, among others, who are trying to make a living for themselves and their 
dependents, including their tellers and families. 
The PCSO is embarking on a project which is App-based betting. The reasons 
advanced for digitalization of lotto games are to make it convenient to the betting public as 
betting will be App-based and to increase revenue for the government. While it may be true 
that App-based betting may result to convenience to the betting public, there are 
disadvantages to doing the same, among which are: 
1. App-based betting will open betting to our youth. Even children who have mobile
phones will be able to access the games. 
2. Digitalization or on-line betting may not result to increased revenue generation.
Security and safeguards to on-line transactions in the country is not yet fully guaranteed. Even 
banks with sophisticated digital programs are not exempted to scammers. PCSO may be 
surprised that sales have not increased because sales were diverted to other on-line 
channels.  
3. This will kill the existence of the Lotto Agents, the partners of PCSO over the years.
Lotto Outlets will become useless and irrelevant. 
 One of the primary reasons why the revenue generation efforts of PCSO is wanting is 
because of the existence of illegal gambling. To increase revenue, all lottery games should 
only be played at the lotto outlets. Outside of the lotto outlets are illegal numbers game which 
can be the focus of the law enforcement agencies.  
App-based digitalization of lotto games is not the answer to revenue generation. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 15, 2025
5:05 pm


TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  1948
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE ONLINE PLACING OF BETS FOR ALL LOTTO GAMES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  The placing of all bets for all Lotto games shall only be done physically and only 
in authorized Lotto Outlets. 
The online placing of bets thru mobile phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers 
(PCs) and other similar gadgets, for all Lotto games is prohibited. 
SEC. 2.  Any change in the system and procedures to play all Lotto games which have impact 
on revenue generation, livelihood of the lotto agents, and the charity mandate of the Philippine 
Charity Sweepstakes Office shall be made public to the affected stakeholders and subject to 
the approval of the Office of the President. 
SEC. 3. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions 
not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 4. All laws, executive orders, memorandum circulars, guidelines, and other issuances 
or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 5.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,