In the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos is a landlocked nation known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist monasteries. But in this land of small towns and villages, there is a slice of life that pulses rhythmically through the country’s communities – the national lottery. For the thousands of people who partake in this monthly tradition, the lotto is not only a game of chance, but a spark of hope and a part of their shared cultural fabric.
Whether a person’s favorite number is the winning one or not, they can at least take comfort in knowing that the money they spend on tickets goes to a good cause. In fact, the proceeds from the lotto have gone to fund several major construction projects in the country, including roads and schools. Some of the prizes have even been used to help poor families pay for medical treatment. Despite some controversies and criticisms, the lotto has been successful in raising money for public projects.
The state-owned Société des loteries du Vientiane is responsible for the country’s national lottery. It was established in 1957 and has a monopoly over the industry, meaning only it can sell tickets and announce winners. Its website is available in both English and French. The site also contains detailed information on the rules and regulations of the lottery.
Private business interests have a stake in the lottery’s work, and a number of these companies have connections to the country’s ruling elite, a local official told RFA. The public is not told how much these companies pay to the government for their services, or how much they are reimbursed by the lottery.
While gambling is illegal in Laos, there are Special Economic Zones that allow private businesses to run casinos. This has caused a lot of confusion in the country, especially since there are several online casinos that accept players from Laos. Despite the confusion, some experts believe that there is no need for the government to intervene.
A woman who grew up in a Laotian orphanage and came to the United States in the 1970s has won a $55 million lottery jackpot, and plans to donate some of it to the people who raised her. Xia Rattanakone, who lives in Seattle with her husband, says she will also use some of the prize money to return to her homeland and search for her birth family. She hopes to find them in the remote northeastern village where she was born and raised. Besides her plans for giving back to the community, she and her husband plan to retire from their jobs as school aides and travel.
