PCSO earns rare Level 3 WLA accreditation, a first in Philippine gaming

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has achieved a major international milestone after securing Level 3 Accreditation for the Responsible Gaming Framework from the World Lottery Association (WLA), becoming the first gaming institution in the Philippines to earn the distinction.

The certification, awarded in January 2026, elevates PCSO from Level 2 to Level 3 accreditation, signaling a shift from policy intent to full-scale planning and implementation of global best practices in responsible gaming. Under Level 3, PCSO’s operations are backed by dedicated budgets and concrete resources focused on integrity, player protection, and ethical conduct.

PCSO said all of its lottery draws are also ISO-certified, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accuracy, and internationally recognized quality standards.

The WLA, which represents more than 150 state-authorized lotteries across over 80 countries, requires agencies seeking Level 3 accreditation to pass a rigorous audit conducted by an Independent Assessment Panel of international experts. With the accreditation, PCSO now joins leading lottery operators in countries such as the United States, Italy, France, Turkey, Brazil, and Argentina.

PCSO said the recognition underscores the Philippines’ growing role in the global gaming industry, aligning local operations with international standards on safety, accountability, and transparency.

The international accreditation follows another major achievement for the agency. In December 2025, the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) ranked PCSO as the Top 1 Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC) in the country.

PCSO posted a performance rating of 100.63%, leading all GOCCs based on criteria that included transparency, revenue growth, and social impact. The GCG cited PCSO’s social welfare programs, including the nationwide distribution of patient transport vehicles, medical assistance initiatives, disaster and emergency relief operations, medical equipment donations, and partnerships with non-government organizations.

The agency’s general manager was also named one of three Leadership Award finalists during the same GCG annual awards.

“This international certification is more than just a plaque on the wall. It is a testament of solid commitment to the Filipino people,” said PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles.

“Being named the top GOCC in the country and now gaining Level 3 WLA accreditation shows that we are dead serious in combining heart-led public service with world-class professional standards,” he added.

With its latest accreditation and national recognition, PCSO said it aims to further strengthen its role as a secure, transparent, and globally competitive lottery operator while continuing to support nation-building through its social programs.