The lottery is a form of gambling that involves participants buying tickets, pinning their hopes on a sequence of numbers and hoping that they match the winning combination. It is a form of entertainment for millions of people and, according to the organizers, brings in over 19 billion baht each year, or around 2.8% of Thailand’s GDP. But the lottery is more than just a game of chance; it is an integral part of Thai culture and a symbol of hope, optimism, and dreams.
Purchasing a lottery ticket is an experience that is infused with superstition, fatalism and even religious beliefs. The prospect of becoming a millionaire, no matter the odds, beckons those with even the most limited means to participate in this ritual. For the poorest of Thailand, a lucky number could spell out instant riches and the ability to finally afford food for their children. The lottery is a symbol of the nation’s belief that it can rise out of poverty through its ability to change the lives of its players.
Lottery tickets are sold in “ticket pairs” for 80 baht per ticket and include a variety of anti-counterfeiting features. They are also pre-printed, with the number of balls and the lottery schedule printed on the verso. The lottery’s “Draw Chairman” inspects the equipment and numbers of balls, looking for anomalies before initializing each draw machine. Guests can then purchase their ticket pairs at kiosks and ticket windows, where they will be assigned a ticket-picking number.
While some people might take a more pragmatic approach to selecting their numbers, others still seek guidance from spirits and other supernatural forces when choosing their lucky numbers. A popular technique involves visiting a ghostly temple and seeing the numbers 23 through 501 appear in a basin of water. The number is believed to represent the spirits of those who have died in wars or accidents. It is a method that many Thais employ, and it has been endorsed by the country’s religious leaders.
But if you’re not convinced that spirits and superstitions can make a difference in the outcome of the lottery, perhaps you should try your luck at blackjack counting. Zjelko Ranogajec, a former MIT blackjack player, now makes his living betting on horses and the lottery using a statistical model that was based on what he learned from the MIT blackjack team. He’s made less than 1% of his turnover but says it’s still not a bad way to make a living.
