For only the fourth time in the country’s lottery history, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is expected to put at stake at least P200 million in first prize jackpot for its Super Lotto 49 draw.

This, after not one among the millions of Filipinos who queued lotto outlets for last Tuesday night’s Super Lotto 49 draw came up with the right six-number combination of 4-7-33-37-48-13. The total payout for the first prize reached P174,707,251.20.

But as PCSO awaits a lucky jackpot winner, the state-run lottery agency has also something to celebrate about as its charity fund for Super Lotto 49 reached P208,798,540.47 in just over a month.

Don de Leon, chief of staff of PCSO Chairman Sergio Valencia, said tonight’s top prize could reach over P200 million.

“Even if they do not win, bettors contribute huge to charity and are able to help our less fortunate Filipino brothers who are in dire need of medical and livelihood assistance,” De Leon said. “Sa lotto walang natatalo.”

De Leon, a Quezon City-based civic leader, said millions of the country’s poor have already become recipients of medical help from the PCSO.

The PCSO executive said there is a good chance that tonight’s jackpot prize for the Lotto 49 draw will breach the P200 million level.

“We are hoping for bigger sales to be able to reach the P200 million jackpot,” said De Leon as he noted a difference of at least P21.7 million between the Sunday and Tuesday top money prize.

Over P200 million was offered as cash prize in the following draws: October 17, 2002 with six winners; March 30, 2008 with only one winner and February 22, 2009, with two winners.

Meanwhile, Conrado Zabella, assistant general manager for lottery operations, said more than P15 million had been distributed in consolation prizes for the Tuesday Super Lotto draw.

Zabella said a total 70 bettors received P56,000 for betting on five of the six winning number combinations.

A total of P4,322,000 was distributed to 4,322 bettors for getting four numbers.

Each winner won P1,000. Another 86,491 aficionados won P8,649,100 for guessing three numbers correctly, Zabella added.