PCSO lotto reminders — what every player should know

Age requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a PCSO lotto ticket or claim any prize. This applies to all games — jackpot draws, digit games (3D, 2D, 4D, 6D), and STL. Tickets purchased by minors are void and cannot be used for prize claims.

Buy only from authorized outlets

Only tickets purchased at licensed PCSO lotto outlets are valid. Tickets sold by unauthorized individuals or through online sellers (outside official PCSO channels) are not guaranteed to be legitimate and cannot be honored for prize claims.

• Look for the official PCSO signage at the outlet
• The terminal should be connected to the PCSO network
• A valid printed ticket with a barcode is issued for every valid purchase

Ticket care and validation

Your physical ticket is your proof of purchase. Treat it accordingly:

• Sign the back immediately after purchase — this establishes ownership and protects you if the ticket is lost or stolen
• Keep tickets away from heat, moisture, and folding — PCSO tickets are printed on heat-sensitive paper
• Do not write over the barcode or printed numbers
• Check all ticket details (numbers, draw date, game) before leaving the outlet
• Take a photo of your ticket for personal reference, but the physical ticket remains the primary document

Claim deadline — one year from draw date

Prize claims must be filed within one year from the date of the draw. Tickets presented after the one-year window are forfeited — no exceptions. Mark your draw date and set a reminder well before expiry.

The claim deadline applies to all prize tiers, not just jackpots. Even a 3-number consolation prize must be claimed within the same window.

Ticket price

As of the most recent PCSO update, standard ticket prices are:

• Jackpot games (6/42, 6/45, 6/49, 6/55, 6/58): ₱25 per combination
• 6D Lotto: ₱25 per combination
• 4D Lotto, 3D (Swertres), 2D (EZ2): ₱12 per combination

Confirm current prices at your outlet or on pcso.gov.ph, as prices may change.

Tax on prizes

PCSO lotto prizes are subject to the following tax rules under Philippine law:

• Prizes of ₱10,000 and below: tax-exempt
• Prizes above ₱10,000: subject to 20% final withholding tax

The tax is withheld at source — PCSO deducts it before releasing payment. Confirm current tax rules with PCSO or a tax professional as regulations may be updated.

Claim locations by prize amount

Where you claim depends on the prize amount. As a general guide:

• Up to ₱20 per game (e.g. low-tier 2D win): some outlets pay directly
• ₱20 to ₱5,000: any authorized PCSO outlet
• ₱5,001 to ₱300,000: PCSO provincial or satellite office
• Over ₱300,000: PCSO main office (Mandaluyong) or authorized regional office

Confirm thresholds and current office locations on pcso.gov.ph — these can change.