Laos Lotto results are an exciting source of suspense for participants who regularly follow the draws. Published numbers and live broadcast results make the Laos Lotto an ongoing source of anticipation; each Monday, Wednesday and Friday they release the numbers to match with official results broadcast live; participants anxiously anticipate these announcements to cross-check their tickets against official results and keep fingers crossed for big wins! Prize levels depend on how many numbers match; matching four digits multiplies bet by 6,000 times while matching three can result in rewards of 1.5 million kip while matching two can even yield substantial prizes.
Laos Lotto not only offers players the chance to win big jackpots, but it also donates a portion of its proceeds to charity. Religious orders have used it to finance church construction and renovation costs; winnings were instrumental in providing crucial funding support for Parisian churches like Saint Sulpice and Le Pantheon. Throughout Paris in the 18th century it became common practice for wealthy residents to host lottery games to fund religious orders or charities through lottery games held by wealthy Parisian citizens.
However, despite its high stakes and frequent winnings, the lottery does not come without its problems. Some have charged that lottery officials are manipulating winning numbers to reduce large payouts; one example being 509 only appearing as five on tickets purchased for this year’s drawing after many people tried their luck at playing it since its association with buffalos is considered sacred in Laos. According to RFA’s Lao Service sources know which numbers players select so the company that runs it, Thailand’s Insee Trading Company knows which are selected; therefore they have the power to manipulate winning numbers thereby altering winning numbers outright and thus avoid large payouts.
Others have raised questions regarding the consistency of ball weight used in drawings. Because weight will impact how quickly a ball falls into a hole, some say certain balls may be lighter or heavier than others. Vilasack Phommaluck, head of the State Lottery Committee, dismissed these claims saying a committee conducts regular inspections to make sure all balls have equal weights.
Cheng Saephan hails from Laos and immigrated to Thailand before eventually settling in Portland, where he won this month’s $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot. Half of his winnings are set aside to support missionary work both there and in Laos itself. He belongs to the Iu Mien ethnic group, composed of subsistence farmers who provided assistance during the Vietnam War for American forces and later immigrated to western states of the US. He is one of only a few immigrants to win a jackpot of more than $1 billion, and his win has galvanized Laotian communities living in the US. Many have expressed a desire to use some of their winnings for charitable work in Laos or Asia; for instance, Iu Mien pastors intend to use some of their winnings for missionary travels to Laos and elsewhere.
