Caloocan lotto outlet teller, operator sued for illegal numbers racket

CALOOCAN CITY, Philippines — Public prosecutors indicted the teller and the registered operator of an authorized lotto outlet in Caloocan before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Caloocan on Monday, Nov. 9.

The case stemmed from the teller’s arrest last week for using a legitimate government franchise to run an underground numbers game.

The Caloocan City Prosecutor’s Office charged the outlet’s teller with violating Presidential Decree No. 1602, as amended by Section 3(b) of Republic Act No. 9287, which penalizes illegal numbers games.

Article continues after this advertisement

The formal criminal information accused the teller of willfully taking direct and active part in an unauthorized numbers racket designated under the online category as “TWO.”

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: PCSO, NBI bust Caloocan lotto outlet fronting for illegal numbers game; teller nabbed

The charge sheet stated that the teller, acting on behalf of the establishment’s principal operator, collected and solicited illicit bets and generated counterfeit tickets using unauthorized equipment while operating behind the counter of an accredited lotto booth.

The teller remains detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Detention Facility, while law enforcers continue to track down the registered lotto agent, who remains at large.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles stressed that taking the case straight to court sends an unmistakable message that the agency will never tolerate accredited partners double-dealing with criminal syndicates.

Article continues after this advertisement

“This formal court indictment proves that we are serious in cleaning up our ranks and taking rogue agents down,” Robles said.

“Using a government-issued lotto franchise as a front for underground gambling is not only a blatant violation of the law — it is an outright betrayal of the public trust. Every peso siphoned away by these fake tickets robs our poorest countrymen of the medical assistance and charity programs they desperately depend on,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Negros Oriental illegal gambling crackdown: 6 arrested

A joint entrapment operation conducted by NBI and PCSO personnel at around 5:06 p.m. on Nov. 4 along Camarin Road, Almar, North Caloocan, resulted in the discovery of the illegal activities by the suspects.

During the sting, operatives documented the issuance of illicit betting tickets bearing inconsistent security features and non-functional QR codes, with bets received through digital payments and cash, rather than standard PCSO terminal lines.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The PCSO reiterated its warning to franchise holders nationwide that participating in off-the-books betting carries severe legal consequences, including automatic revocation of licenses, forfeiture of terminal equipment, and active criminal prosecution. /atm