PCSO: No new applications to operate STL in provinces

MANILA, Philippines - There are no new applications to operate small town lottery (STL) in the provinces.

Records at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) show that new applicants want to operate STL only in Metro Manila.

The PCSO is accepting applications to operate STL in 42 provinces to stop illegal gambling and generate more revenue to support its charity programs.

The PCSO announced the list of new authorized agent operators at the launch of the expanded STL operations early this month.

Chivalric Inc. was given the franchise to operate in the cities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Happy Cool Games and Amusement Corp. will operate STL in Pasay, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Makati, Taguig, Pateros and Parañaque.

No gaming corporation applied to operate STL in Manila.

In the provinces, four previously accredited gaming firms were allowed to operate STL in more areas. These are Trento Gaming Corp., which was authorized to operate in Bukidnon, General Santos City and Camiguin; Saturn Gaming Amusement Corp. in Cebu and Southern Leyte, Super Lucky Beagle in Negros Oriental and Bacolod City as well as Diamond Gaming Corp. in Cagayan de Oro City and Bataan.

Alexander Balutan, PCSO general manager, reiterated his warning to gambling lords to stop their illegal activity and instead apply as STL operators.