The Thai Lottery

The Thai Lottery (Thai: , salak kin baeng) is a government-regulated lottery. It is held on the first and sixteenth of each month and is one of only two legal forms of gambling permitted in the country (the other is horse racing). The lottery is managed by the GLO, which prints the tickets and distributes them to wholesalers (commonly known as brokers) who sell them to the nation’s 14,700 authorized retail venues. In 2014, 67 million people played the Thai Lottery, spending over 76 billion baht on the tickets.

While the odds of winning are low, the prize money is substantial and the game is popular with both locals and foreigners. However, the lottery isn’t without its problems. Despite the government crackdown on illegal operators, there is still a significant underground market that offers better prizes, more options for numbers, and the ability to place bets online. These illegal lotteries also offer credit purchases, making it easier for the average person to join in on the fun.

Compared to other global lotteries, the top prizes of thai lottery are quite small. In fact, the jackpots can even be smaller than what you’d see at a bingo hall or a casino. But the national popularity of the game and its ritualization have resulted in a strong following, with players eager to try their luck and chase those lucky numbers.

Lottery is a big business in Thailand, with 60% of the proceeds funnelled into the prize fund. Another 20% of the money is given to street vendors, ticket wholesalers, and foundations, associations, and organizations. The remainder is allocated to treasury, social activity funds, and other expenses.

As a matter of principle, the country’s Buddhist population is supposed to abstain from gambling. But if you walk down any street in the country, there are signs everywhere encouraging you to buy a ticket and perhaps win the next drawing. The country’s propensity for gambling is reflected in everyday life, from bus tickets to military service (red you are in and black you’re out).

Although betting on sports events is not allowed, football matches are popular with locals. In fact, an estimated $2 billion dollars in bets on European soccer games changes hands each year. And while these bets are technically illegal, many locals don’t care; they believe that the odds of winning are much higher if you bet on the right team. Nevertheless, if you are interested in trying your luck, it is recommended that you visit a licensed agent and purchase your tickets. They will ask you to present a photo ID for verification. You’ll be required to pay a 0.5% stamp duty on winnings that amount to 20,000 baht or less. Winners are obligated to claim their prize within two years and must show the original winning ticket together with a copy of their passport. Otherwise, the prize will be forfeited. In addition, there are other requirements, such as a residency permit, to be eligible for the prize.