In a world of globalization and increasing cultural homogenization, the small landlocked nation of Laos has one enduring tradition that binds its communities together – a national lottery. Every announcement of the results stirs a wave of anticipation across the country, and for the citizens who partake in it, the lottery is more than just a game. It is a symbol of hope, a way to bolster household incomes, and for some, a glimmer of possibility in a country where economic opportunities can be scarce.
In Laos, as in much of the world, lottery games have long been a popular pastime. But they aren’t just a game of chance; the money raised through lottery games is used for a variety of good causes, from funding religious congregations to helping people who have fallen on hard times. The lottery also helps to fund public services such as schools and health care.
The Laos state lottery is run by the Ministry of Finance, and the office of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith recently sent a directive to the ministry asking that it work with the ministry of public security to better manage the problem, sources told RFA’s Lao Service. The directive stipulated that drawing times for the state lottery would be reduced from two to one a week, and that informal football lotteries and lottery chances sold through short messaging services should be closed down.
Laos is not alone in the struggle against illegal gambling, as it faces competition from overseas operators and even some within its own borders. The United Kingdom has a number of state-run lotteries, including the Lotto and Thunderball; Australia has numerous state and national games, as well as a health lottery; and Chile has multiple private companies.
The app is available on the Google Play store for Android devices, and you can download it for free by tapping on its name in the list of apps under Home & Hobbies. Once you’ve clicked on the install button, a pop-up window will appear displaying the permissions required by the app, with a progress bar to show how far it has gone in downloading.
