The thai lotto is one of the most popular forms of gambling in thailand. While gambling is technically illegal and frowned upon by Buddhists, the country is filled with gambling dens and lottery tickets are sold everywhere. Bus tickets have a lottery number and even military service is determined by a lucky draw. As much as 70% of the Thai population gambles regularly despite the government ban on gambling.
The lottery in thailand is organized and run by GLO (Government Lottery Office). The twice-monthly draws are held on the first and sixteenth of every month and offers a top prize of 30 million baht*. To play, purchase a ticket containing six digits from an authorized vendor. Match the winning numbers to claim a prize.
While most Westerners will go to church to ask their local vicar for the right lottery numbers, Thais visit temples and shrines in hopes of divine hints. Monks are famous for their ability to divine which digits will bring the winnings, and fortune tellers are often sought out for tips on the upcoming lottery. When a respected Buddhist monk dies, many will head to his temple in hopes of getting a hint about the winning numbers – perhaps the date of his death or the number of his hospital room.
To avoid counterfeiting, all thai lottery tickets have a unique watermark of Wayupak, a mythical bird that can only be seen under a special light. The paper is also coated with chemicals that make it easy to spot a fake by stains. It’s also important to buy your tickets from an authentic retailer, as some people will try to sell false tickets. This is especially true if you’re buying from a newcomer to the country, as they are less likely to be able to recognize fraudulent watermarks.
When you win, you’ll need to present your winning ticket/s along with a Thai ID card or passport (for foreign bettors). You will also be required to pay a 0.5% stamp duty on winnings from the government lottery and 1% for winnings from charitable lotteries.
Lottery profits are split several ways: prize money accounts for 60%, while 20% goes to street vendors, ticket wholesalers, and foundation, association, and organization discounts. Another 8% is funneled into the state treasury.
The rest of the profits are spent on government projects, education, and health care. The treasury has set aside more than $70 billion in the last 10 years for these projects.
Aside from the government’s official lottery, there are a variety of unofficial agencies and websites that offer Thai lottery betting. These sites offer bigger prizes, better odds of winning, and credit purchases. Some are based in Thailand, while others are for expats who can’t get enough of the bi-monthly lottery.
There are also a variety of apps for thai lotto, allowing players to place bets on their favorite numbers while on the go. The most popular apps include iLotto and LottoGypsy, which can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices.
