Laos is a nation known for its rugged terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries. But it is also a place where a unique tradition pulsates rhythmically through the nation – the lottery. For many Laotians, the announcement of lottery results is more than a mere game of chance; it is a social leveller, a national tradition, and for some, a glimmer of hope in an economy that can often seem intractable.
Regardless of how large or small the winnings are, the lottery is a major source of income in Laos. While some people use the money to supplement their household incomes, others invest it in their business ventures or their children’s education. It can also be a way to fulfill long-held dreams and aspirations.
One such dream was realized in late October, when a woman who grew up in an orphanage in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s returned to her home country with her husband and won the top prize of $55 million. Xia Rattanakone said she plans to donate the majority of her jackpot to the people who raised her. She also wants to return to search for her birth family.
The official announcement of the lottery results triggered a surge of excitement across the nation. It was a result that was largely free of controversy, but one that still captured the nation’s innate fascination with luck and fortune. This particular lottery draw also infused the mystical aura of animals into its system, with numbers bearing the symbolic names of creatures such as crabs, weaverbirds and dogs atop their lists of lucky numbers.
But even as the numbers were announced, officials from the government-owned lottery company were preparing to make some changes. On Aug. 17, the office of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith sent a directive to the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the legal state lottery, asking it to cut back on its drawings from two to one per week and to take measures to ensure that winnings are distributed fairly and transparently.
A few days later, Laos deputy finance minister and state lottery supervisor Sila Viengkeo told RFA that the directive would be carried out and that accusations of incompetence and corruption within the department were unfounded. He added that the ministry will work with the ministry of public security to ensure transparency.
Those who play the lottery should be aware of the risks involved and know that they can lose money. However, there are ways to minimize these risks, such as purchasing tickets from a legitimate online retailer. In addition, players should only buy tickets from a company that is licensed by the government to operate in the country.
To download the app, head to the Google Play listing on your Android device and click on the Install button. This will open a pop-up window that asks you to grant the application permission to continue with the installation process. Once the process is complete, you should receive a notification that the app has been successfully downloaded to your device.
