In the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos is a nation known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist monasteries. But the landlocked country also nurtures a unique tradition — one of luck and fortune that is more than just a game — the national lottery. When results are announced, a ripple of excitement surges through the nation, as people check their tickets with hearts pounding and dreams of fortuitous gains. For the thousands of citizens who partake in this annual ritual, it’s more than a chance at riches – it’s a way of life that binds communities together and offers a glimmer of hope in a country where economic opportunities can be scarce.
Unlike most other lotteries, which have strict rules and regulations limiting how much can be won or sold, the Laos lotto has a looser definition of winnings. Winners can receive cash and merchandise ranging from bicycles to television sets. Those with a higher winning ticket number are eligible for bigger prizes such as cars, homes and even airplanes. The winning numbers are drawn twice a week on the basis of a combination of numbers and traditional symbols that are derived from animals, flowers, herbs, trees, and insects. For example, the number 11 for dogs and 20 for centipedes are considered lucky. The Laos lotto’s prize money is distributed evenly among the winners, a nod to fairness and equality.
But some state officials say that the lottery’s system of distributing prizes is corrupt, and that some companies running the lottery are linked to the country’s ruling elite. RFA’s Lao Service has learned that business interests with a stake in the lottery’s work include relatives of some of the nation’s top leaders, including former prime minister Thongsing and former president Khamtay Siphandone. Officials who run the lottery tell RFA that allegations of rigging and manipulation are unfounded.
While the Laos lotto is not as popular as the Mega Millions in the United States or the Powerball in Canada, it has become a major source of revenue for the government and its allied civil societies. The funds raised from the lotto have built and rebuilt churches in the capital city of Vientiane, and provided scholarships for thousands of students.
The Laos lotto is free to play and the prize amounts are very high. It is not uncommon for winners to win millions of dollars in a single drawing. In some cases, the prize amount is even greater than the GDP of a small European country. The lottery is the second largest revenue-generating event for the country after rice farming.
To play the Laos lotto, simply visit a retailer online that sells lottery tickets. There are many different options available, but you will want to make sure that the website has a secure connection and is licensed by the local authorities. Lastly, you should choose a retailer that is reliable and has been around for a long time.
