By Clarist Zablan
(January 18, 2024) – A broadcaster-turned-senator on Thursday cautioned the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices (PCSO) from pushing the implementation of the “E-Lotto,” saying there’s a need to “encourage responsible gambling practices” as complaints mount from lottery agents.
Raffy Tulfo has received growing concerns on the PCSO’s test run on its new online games from lotto agents, who feared taking a financial burden and losing benefits under the state lottery company’s plans to change its betting system.
“Nagkakaisa lahat ng lotto agents na ang mga panggigipit na isinasagawa ng PCSO ay tungo sa pangkalahatan termination ng agency agreements ng mga lotto agents kapalit ng 100% transition sa operation ng E-Lotto,” Tulfo said during a Senate ways and means panel hearing.
Last year, Tulfo filed a measure to prohibit the online placing of bets for all of PCSO’s lotto games and instant paper games – including digit games and Small Town Lottery.
The measure also mandated PCSO to make public any changes in the Lottery Games system that could have a potential impact on the revenues and livelihood of Lotto Agents and the charity mandate of the agency.
The senator said the measure aims to “safeguard public welfare, protect vulnerable individuals, and encourage responsible gambling practices, thereby contributing to a safer and more regulated landscape in the nation.”
There were also lotto agents who raised concerns that the transition to “E-Lotto” has led to changes in how the PCSO has treated them, such as the deactivation of the “lotto terminal ticket cancellation feature,” confiscation of old machines to transition to FLX machines, and removal of their hospitalization benefits, Tulfo said.
The senator criticized the PCSO for “avoiding the Senate’s invitation” to attend the Ways and Means panel’s hearings on the issue.
“PCSO has to defend its stand, not to run and hide,” said Tulfo. “Face the issues that must be faced. This body (Senate ways and means panel) will not stop until we get all the answers we need to the fullest satisfaction of everybody.”
PCSO launched its E-Lotto platform on its official website, which the agency said aims to make the state-run lottery “safe, modern, and accessible” to the public.
The platform also aimed to curb the proliferation of illegal online number games, it said.
The agency plans to release the E-Lotto app on Google Play and iOS next year.
(MM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.