The small, landlocked Southeast Asian nation of Laos nurtures a unique tradition that brings people together through a lottery game. It’s not just a game of chance – for many who participate, it’s a source of hope and a part of their shared culture.
But recent questions have arisen over the fairness of the national lottery, with critics accusing officials of rigging it. Drawings of the lottery, which take place three times a week, often show numbers that mysteriously disappear from purchased tickets, sources say. For example, the number 509 won in a drawing earlier this year but appeared only as a five on tickets purchased throughout the day of the draw. Officials also manipulate numbers to avoid large payouts, sources say.
In recent months, the country’s Finance Ministry has responded to the concerns by limiting the number of prizes and lowering the amounts. It is also considering cutting the lottery drawing to one time a week. But some believe the changes are too little too late.
Some players have argued that the government should do more to protect the integrity of the lottery game, and that private business interests should not be allowed to run it. Others have questioned the weight of the lottery balls, claiming that the heavier ones bounce down the hole in the lottery machine more quickly than the lighter ones.
A Finance Ministry spokesman, Vilasack Phommaluck, dismissed the accusations as “unfounded.” He said the lottery committee double checks the lottery balls before they are used in the drawing process. He added that if there are any irregularities, the lottery committee will look into them and make changes accordingly.
Whether the claims are true or not, the controversy has eroded public faith in the lottery system. The lottery remains a popular form of gambling in Laos, but the controversy is making some people reluctant to play. Others are concerned that the lottery is not a legitimate way to raise money for the poor, which the government has argued it is.
The Naga Market app allows lottery customers to check lottery results, verify winning lottery bills, and locate lottery claim centers. It is available for download on Google Play and is free to use. However, users should note that the developer may collect data from the user’s device and their privacy practices are subject to change without notice. More information can be found in the app’s privacy policies. The company that developed the app, New Concept Consulting, indicated it may share collected information with third parties for analytics and marketing purposes. The information can include, but is not limited to, the name and IMEI number of the device. The company also provides a tool that lets users opt-out of the collection of their personal data from the app. However, the opt-out tool may not work on all devices. Those who wish to stop receiving their data can contact the developer. The developer has not indicated whether it will provide any refunds for apps purchased from its website.
