Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades A. Robles joins World Lottery Association (WLA) President Andreas Kötter at the World Lottery Summit (WLS) 2026 in Sydney, Australia. During the summit, Kötter praised Philippine lotteries for their outstanding contributions to charitable causes and responsible gaming, recognizing the country’s commitment to using lottery revenues to benefit communities and support public welfare.
Turning lottery revenues into medical assistance and community support has earned the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) praise from World Lottery Association (WLA) President Andreas Kötter, who cited Philippine lotteries as a model for supporting good causes.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Lottery Summit 2026 in Sydney, Australia, Kötter commended the country’s lottery operations for combining fundraising with social responsibility.
“First of all, the Philippine lotteries are a perfect example of doing good, raising money for good causes, and having a profile as a lottery which is outstanding,” Kötter said.
His remarks highlight PCSO’s mandate to generate funds for medical assistance, healthcare programs and charitable services for Filipinos nationwide. Through its lottery operations, the agency helps finance assistance for individuals and communities in need.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles welcomed the recognition, emphasizing that the agency’s performance should be measured by the people it helps.
“For PCSO, the true measure of success is not simply how much revenue we generate, but how many Filipinos we are able to help,” Robles said.
“Every peso that goes toward our charitable programs represents an opportunity to provide medical assistance, support communities, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” he added.
Robles, who was elected vice president of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association in September 2026, said the recognition reflects PCSO’s continuing commitment to ensuring its operations serve a greater public purpose.
Kötter also welcomed the strong Philippine presence at the summit, describing it as a demonstration of the country’s engagement with the international lottery community.
“I’m so happy that so many Filipinos came over to Sydney. That really shows the commitment of the lottery of the Philippines to the system, and also to WLA,” he said.
He recalled an earlier visit to Manila by the WLA Executive Committee, whose members experienced Filipino hospitality and witnessed the importance of lotteries to the country.
Held at the International Convention Centre Sydney from November 9 to 12, the summit brings together lottery leaders and stakeholders to discuss responsible gaming, industry innovation and the sector’s contribution to public welfare.