A closed lotto outlet in Manila City, July 27, 2019. Angel Movido ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Police have shut down a total of 21,173 lotto stores and gaming outlets in the country Sunday as President Rodrigo Duterte cracks down on corruption within the Philippine state gaming regulator.
Duterte on Friday ordered the police to close gaming outlets operated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) which he accused of "massive corruption."
As of Sunday, police said it has closed a total of 5,187 lotto stores; 13,320 small town lottery kiosks; 2,194 Peryahan ng Bayan outlets; and 472 Keno shops.
Police General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police, appealed to gaming outlets operated by the PCSO to voluntarily stop their operations if police have yet to issue closure orders.
The President gave law enforcers 24 hours starting Saturday to stop the gaming activities operated, licensed and franchised by PCSO, which he now declared as illegal.