Hanoi Lotto has quickly become an integral part of Vietnamese culture and generates millions in annual revenues that go toward social causes and infrastructure development, providing employment for hundreds of lottery retailers and operators, while creating a sense of community among players. But as with any form of gambling, Hanoi Lotto should be played responsibly to avoid negative consequences for itself or those playing it responsibly.
Vietnam’s lottery history dates back to the Qing dynasty when Chinese migrants introduced huahui (playing of numbers) from old Saigon. Today, Vietlott, Vietnam’s official state lotterie, boasts 63 provincial companies and one national company and generates annual revenues up to VND63,000 billion; yet traditional lotto shops continue selling tickets with predetermined numbers printed on them as direct competitors to Vietlott’s immense success.
These traditional tickets are more lucrative for sellers who offer various packages; for instance, the Mega 6/45 ticket costs VND10,000 per entry and allows players to select six numbers between 1 and 45 from 1 through 45. There’s also the Quick Pick feature, which will select numbers automatically; or alternatively they can buy multiple entries through Bag Entry with up to 18 selections available per ticket.
Owing to its opaque governance structure, lotteries offer players protections through laws which outline players’ rights and safety. Lottery business enterprises in Vietnam must register to operate before accepting money for tickets from customers; legal documents provided must include license information as well as operating rules and regulations for winning prizes.
If a prizewinner is unable to personally collect their award due to any objective reasons, they are permitted to designate a representative. Furthermore, lottery governing bodies cannot use lottery results for illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing.
Some players consider the official lottery to be a legitimate form of gambling, while others perceive that its outcomes may not be random as advertised. Furthermore, its system may not be transparent enough because winning numbers are printed directly onto tickets prior to playing them.
No matter how results are determined, Vietnam’s love affair with lotto cannot be denied. A popular pastime that brings people together, but must be played responsibly to avoid negative outcomes. With its long and complicated history in Vietnam and as an integral source of revenue for governments and communities alike; while also providing immense excitement to millions of Vietnamese. It has had profound ramifications on society at large and changed many lives for the better.
