In Laos, a country where the rugged Mekong River winds its way through verdant mountains and lush plains, a unique tradition thrives. A lottery – an intriguing interplay of numbers and animal symbols – is a cultural spectacle that captures the human fascination with luck and fortune. But it is important to remember that the lottery, like all forms of gambling, is an avenue for potentially substantial financial gains and should therefore be played responsibly, with a sense of responsibility that recognizes its potential to cause financial strain.
In the 18th century, lotteries became one of the major resources for church congregations in Paris, which could then afford to build or rebuild about 15 churches in the city. The royal court also used the money to help the poor in the kingdom. But in the late 19th century, the lottery lost popularity. It was deemed illegal because it was considered a form of tax, which the government argued violated federal law. However, Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau remained defiant, arguing that his “voluntary tax” did not violate provincial laws. A court decision ruled in favor of Drapeau, but the lottery’s revenues declined month after month.
A woman who grew up in an orphanage in the turbulent 1960s and ’70s plans to donate part of her $55 million lottery jackpot to her birth family in Laos. Xia Rattanakone, 44, and her husband plan to retire from their jobs – she as an aide in Seattle Public Schools and he as a temporary worker at Nintendo of America – and travel the world. The couple, who live in the United States, hope to eventually return to Laos to search for their birth families.
