THAI LOTTO
In Thailand, the lottery is one of just two forms of legal gambling. The bi-monthly draw is a popular pastime for 19 million Thais, or 28% of the native population. The lottery has a long history and is an integral part of the country’s culture. In addition to providing revenue for lottery organizers, it is a source of entertainment and, potentially, economic stimulus. Winners, flush with their winnings, can inject their windfall back into the local economy.
It is possible to buy lottery tickets online. Many international websites offer these services, and you can use credit cards to purchase your ticket. However, be sure to read the rules carefully before buying. You will also want to make sure that the website is legitimate. If it is not, you may be scammed.
You can also buy your lottery tickets from street vendors. These sellers are typically at the low end of the socioeconomic scale and have to pay for their own lottery tickets before selling them. Officially, lottery tickets are sold for 80 baht, but these street vendors often sell them for much more if they think that a number is lucky or popular.
If you win a prize in the lottery, you must present your winning ticket/s and a valid government ID card or passport (for foreigners). You will then be required to pay 0.5% stamp duty on government lottery winnings and 1% on charitable lottery winnings. In addition, you will be required to pay a sales tax of 15%. If you’re unsure of how to calculate the stamp duty, you can always ask a knowledgeable employee at your nearest lottery office to help you out. They can even give you a detailed breakdown of the different types of lottery prizes. Alternatively, you can look up the calculation on the internet. There are also numerous apps that will calculate the stamp duty for you. These apps are a good option for those who don’t want to carry around a calculator.
