The lottery is a form of gambling wherein numbers are drawn at random for a prize. While some governments outlaw or discourage it, others endorse it and regulate it. In the United States, for example, there are state-approved lottery games that offer a lump sum or annuity. The latter offers a fixed amount of money over a specified period, usually 20 or 30 years. The amount is backed by insurance, so it can be an attractive option for people who want to invest their money but lack the expertise or the time to research investments.
The national lottery in Thailand is administered by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) and is one of only two forms of legalized gambling in the country. It is a popular pastime among Thais, who spend over 76 billion baht on tickets each year. The lottery is also a popular source of income for families, especially in rural areas.
Many of these families depend on a “lucky number” picked by an older member of the family, and use that number as their last digit when purchasing a lottery ticket. Others go for a more spiritual approach and choose their lucky numbers based on dreams or messages from the universe disguised in everyday events. One example is a young woman who won the lottery in 2017 after her 1-year-old nephew told her to pick the numbers 3 and 1.
Although most people have heard of the “lucky numbers” method, it’s not the only way to select your winning numbers. Another common practice is to look for silver linings in unfortunate incidents, such as car accidents. This is because the insurance companies will ask you for your license plate number, and you can then turn those digits into your lottery ticket numbers. This was the method that worked for a Thai lady, who won B.6 billion in the national lottery in 2017.
If you’re a big fan of the lottery, you can now play it online. This new service is available from the GLO website and mobile app. The service is secure and convenient, and there’s no need to worry about losing your ticket. You can also track your purchases and get reminders of upcoming drawings.
Winnings of 20,000 baht or less can be cashed out at the retailer where you purchased your ticket, or at any GLO-authorized retail venue in the country. Larger prizes can only be claimed at the head GLO office in Nonthaburi. If you win a lottery, the prize must be claimed within two years of the drawing date. If the winnings are not claimed within that time, they’ll be forfeited to GLO. Typically, the lump-sum prize is invested in the GLO’s securities or to help fund public services. The annuity prize is paid through annual payments for a set period of time, or in cash.
