How to play PCSO lotto in the Philippines
A complete beginner's guide covering all PCSO lotto games — jackpot draws and digit games. Covers buying a ticket, number selection methods, prize tiers, and claiming winnings.
Step 1 — Go to an authorized outlet
All PCSO lotto tickets must be purchased at a licensed outlet displaying official PCSO signage. You must be at least 18 years old. Bring exact change — tickets are ₱25 per combination for jackpot games and ₱12 for digit games.
Step 2 — Choose your game
PCSO offers two categories of games:
Jackpot games (pick 6 numbers)
- Lotto 6/42 — pick 6 from 1–42, drawn Tue/Thu/Sat
- Mega Lotto 6/45 — pick 6 from 1–45, drawn Mon/Wed/Fri
- Super Lotto 6/49 — pick 6 from 1–49, drawn Tue/Thu/Sun
- Grand Lotto 6/55 — pick 6 from 1–55, drawn Mon/Wed/Sat
- Ultra Lotto 6/58 — pick 6 from 1–58, drawn Tue/Fri/Sun
Digit games (ordered combinations)
- 6D Lotto — pick 6 digits (0–9) in order, drawn Tue/Thu/Sat
- 4D Lotto — pick 4 digits (0–9) in order, drawn Mon/Wed/Fri
- 3D Swertres — pick 3 digits, drawn 3× daily every day
- 2D EZ2 — pick 2 numbers (1–31), drawn 3× daily every day
Step 3 — Select your numbers
You have three main ways to choose numbers:
Manual pick
Fill out the play slip at the outlet with your chosen numbers. For jackpot games, pick 6 unique numbers within the game's range. For digit games, choose your digits in the exact order you want to play.
Lucky Pick (LP)
Tell the agent you want a Lucky Pick. The terminal generates a random combination for you. Quick and popular — no slip needed.
System Play (jackpot games only)
Pick more than 6 numbers (e.g. 7 or 8) and the terminal generates all possible 6-number combinations from your selection. Increases your chances significantly but costs more — one ticket per combination.
Rambolito — digit game bet type
For 3D Swertres and 2D EZ2, you can choose between two bet types:
- Straight — your digits must match the draw in exact order. Higher prize (around ₱4,500 for 3D Straight at ₱12).
- Rambolito — any arrangement of your digits wins. Lower prize but easier to hit. Available for 3D (and 2D when the two numbers are different).
Prize tiers — jackpot games
Jackpot games award prizes at four tiers based on how many numbers you match:
| Tier | Numbers matched | Prize type |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 6 of 6 | Accumulated jackpot (shared if multiple winners) |
| 2nd prize | 5 of 6 | Fixed pool (shared) |
| 3rd prize | 4 of 6 | Fixed pool (shared) |
| 4th prize | 3 of 6 | Fixed amount per winner |
Order does not matter for jackpot games — any arrangement of your 6 numbers that matches the draw wins. Confirm current prize amounts on pcso.gov.ph.
Step 4 — Check results after the draw
Results are announced live on PTV and posted on pcso.gov.ph after each draw. You can also check results here on lottoph.info as a quick reference — but always verify on the official site before claiming.
See our guide on where to check lotto results for all available options.
Step 5 — Claim your prize
If you win, claim within one year from the draw date. Bring your original ticket (unaltered) and valid government ID. Where you claim depends on the prize amount:
- Small prizes: any authorized outlet
- Medium prizes (up to ₱300,000): PCSO provincial office
- Large prizes (over ₱300,000 and jackpots): PCSO main office or regional office
Read our full prize claiming guide for more details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play multiple combinations on one ticket?
Yes — most play slips allow multiple panels, each with a different combination. Each combination is priced separately.
What happens if no one wins the jackpot?
The jackpot rolls over to the next draw, growing larger each time. This continues until someone matches all 6 numbers.
Can I play PCSO lotto online?
PCSO operates an official e-lotto platform. Avoid unofficial online sellers — tickets purchased outside official PCSO channels may not be valid.
Is lotto prize money taxable?
Prizes of ₱10,000 and below are tax-exempt. Prizes above ₱10,000 are subject to 20% final withholding tax, deducted before payout.