The thai lotto is one of the two forms of legal gambling in Thailand and, with around 19 million Thais playing each month, it’s very popular. However, it’s important to note that winning isn’t easy. While there are some hints and tips on how to improve your odds, you should never rely on lottery numbers as a way to win.
You can play the thai lotto by purchasing a ticket from one of the many street vendors that sell them, or at any GLO office. The tickets are sold for 120 baht per set of six and can be purchased in advance of the draw date. The tickets must be presented along with a valid ID and bank account details to claim the prize. If you win the first prize or jackpot (usually several million baht), you must come to GLO headquarters in person to claim it.
While the thai lotto is not a big money maker, it does generate a good amount of revenue. Prize money accounts for 60% of the total revenue, while 20% is funneled to the Thai treasury. The remainder is split between street vendors (12%), ticket wholesalers (2%), social activity fund (3%), foundation, association and organization discount (3%).
One of the strangest things about the thai lotto is the fact that there are so many people willing to purchase tickets, despite the high odds of winning. While in the West, few people will head to their local vicar to ask for lottery numbers, in Thailand it’s not uncommon for a monk or a fortune teller to be consulted in order to divine which digits are destined to bring about luck. It’s also not uncommon for a family to visit the grave of a revered deceased member in order to seek out a hint about which numbers to choose – sometimes even going as far as reading the license plate numbers from crashed vehicles on the highway in the hope that a number that appears there will provide them with the winning combination.
When it comes to claiming your thai lotto prize, you must present your winning ticket and a valid identification document when you go to the GLO Department of Prize Payments in Bangkok. You must also show your bank account details and submit a copy of your tax registration number (for Thais) or passport (for foreigners).
If you’re lucky enough to hit the jackpot, you’ll have to wait at least 15 days before you can collect your prize. In addition, you’ll have to pay 0.5% stamp duty on government lottery winnings and 1% on charitable lottery winnings. These fees are collected by the vendor, who then pays them to the lottery office on your behalf. Winnings of 20,000 baht or less can be claimed on the same day. If you win the second or third prize, you’ll have to wait a little longer.
