PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE: THE BEGINNING

Lotteries and sweepstakes draws started as early as 1833 in the Philippines under the Spanish regime. It is held in auspices of private enterprises called Empresa de Reales Loteria Espanolas de Filipinas to generate more revenue. Even, Dr. Jose Rizal, our own national hero, won in the lottery and he donated his winnings to an educational project.

When the Philippine Revolution started, loteria was forced to stop its operations. And it was not until in the early 1930’s when the idea of holding lottery games were revived. In 1932, the first lottery draw began to raise funds to support sport activities for the Philippine youth under Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF) - the first beneficiary.

Instead of setting limitations, the Philippine Legislators thought of institutionalizing the Sweepstakes as a new venture in raising funds for promotion of public health and general welfare.

During Quezon’s regime, the Philippine government agreed to continue lottery games since the first draw was successful but this time in favor of Philippine Anti-Tuberculosis Society, now Philippines Tuberculosis Society (PTS). The draws were held under the auspices of an organization called National Charity Sweepstakes. In March 1935, a law was approved and passed by the Philippine Legislature in October creating the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes replacing the then National Charity Sweepstakes.

Under this law, the new organization was authorized to secure from the National Treasury a loan amounting to P250, 000.00, which is the minimum amount required for organizing the office and printing the tickets for the draw.

Needless to say, the loan was paid back in two months after it’s first Sweepstakes draw and shortly after the note was signed, profit from sales start pouring in. The Lottery draws and Sweepstakes found acceptance among the Filipino people; its humanitarian mission won the public trust and support. Among the beneficiaries are:

1. Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF)

2. Philippine Tuberculosis Society (PTS)

3. National Federation of women’s clubs

4. Association de Damas de Filipinas

5. Gota de Leche

6. Associate of Manila and the Provinces

7. Philippine Council of Boy Scouts of America

8. Asilo Para Invalidos de los Veteranos de la Revolucion

9. Child Welfare Center and other institutions and organizations engaged in charitable and health work, or for the improvement of the conditions of the indigent Filipino masses

In 1954, a law was passed providing charity sweepstakes and lotteries once a month when there are no Sweepstakes draws and race.

Up until now, the PCSO remained to be an indispensable charity arm of the Philippine government to provide for funding for essential health and welfare activities and projects nationwide.