In the land of soaring mountains and lush forests, the nation of Laos nurtures a unique tradition – the lottery. Each month, when the results are announced, a wave of anticipation ripples through the country. For many, the lottery is more than just a game; it’s a way to bolster their incomes and invest in dreams. For those who have been left behind by a history of conflict and poverty, it’s an opportunity to find hope.
For Xia Rattanakone, winner of the $55 million jackpot, it is a chance to give back to the people who gave her life. Born into an orphanage in the turbulent 1960s and ’70s, she and her husband plan to use their windfall to help others in need of support. They also intend to travel to the homeland they have long yearned for, and search out their birth family.
Despite the controversies surrounding state-run lotteries, which were first legalized by the monarchy in 1886, they quickly became one of the main sources of funding for religious congregations and other social institutions. The proceeds were often used to fund construction of new churches and repair old ones. But as the jackpots grew, there was growing concern over how the money was being used and the ensuing conflict between royal authority and religious groups began to escalate.
Amid the controversy, the office of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith sent a directive on Aug. 17 asking the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the legal state lottery system, to work with the ministry of public security on improving transparency. According to the directive, drawings will be reduced from two a week to one, and all winnings must be handled in a transparent manner. Informal football lotteries and lottery chances purchased by short messaging services will also be prohibited.
With a download size of 3.46 MB, the free Lao Lottery is rated “Everyone” by Google Play and was developed by Digital Insider Company Limited. It’s available on Android devices running version 4.4 and up.
