Lottery games can be a great source of fun and excitement, but it is important to remember that they are gambling. As such, it is crucial to play responsibly and with the understanding that the game is a form of gambling that can lead to financial strain if not played sensibly.
In a country known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries, there is a cultural cornerstone that unites the nation – the lottery. Each announcement of the winning numbers sends ripples of excitement throughout the country as thousands check their tickets with hearts pounding in anticipation. For many, the lottery is a lifeline and a glimmer of hope in a land where economic opportunities can be scarce.
The Laos state lottery is a government operation, devoid of any connections with underground gambling activities. However, allegations of rigging and corruption in the lottery have become a serious concern among citizens. The prime minister’s office recently sent a directive asking the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the legal state lottery, to collaborate with the ministry to address the issue, sources told RFA’s Lao Service. Among other things, the directive stipulates that the number of drawing dates should be reduced from two to one a week and that winnings will be handled in a more transparent manner. In addition, informal football lotteries and lottery chances purchased via short messaging services will be closed down.
Private business interests that hold a stake in the lottery’s operations include families of members of the ruling elite, the sources said. The business interests pay the government an annual concession fee and the public is not aware of how much they earn from the lottery. They also don’t disclose their profit margins or pay taxes on their profits to the state, the sources added.
Lottery officials are allegedly rigging the system in order to avoid large pay-outs, the sources said. Drawing results often show numbers that appear on purchased tickets but then vanish from the list of winners, despite the fact that buyers sought those numbers, the sources said. In one instance, the winning number 509 appeared on only a handful of tickets before it disappeared from the list, they added. Another example of a vanishing number was the number 09, which is associated with the buffalo and considered a lucky number in Laos. The number subsequently reappeared on Oct. 14 and changed to 134 10 minutes before the draw, the source said.
