In the heart of Southeast Asia, the country of Laos nurtures a unique tradition – the lottery. The dazzling array of numbers and animal symbols offers more than just the chance for financial gain, but also a captivating interplay of luck and fortune. For Xia Rattanakone, a woman who grew up in a Laotian orphanage during the turbulent 1960s and ’70s, winning the lottery is a way to honor her childhood and give back to those who helped her along the way.
Lotteries have been around for centuries, dating back to the 17th century in France, where they quickly became one of the most important resources for funding religious congregations. But they have since expanded to include a broader range of social and economic benefits, from education and housing to health care and infrastructure.
Several countries have national and state-run lotteries, while others have privatized their lottery operations. In the United States, for example, there are more than 20 state-run lotteries. Among them are Mega Millions, Powerball and the Florida Lottery. And in the United Kingdom, there is the National Lottery.
In other countries, the legality of lottery systems has been a source of controversy. In Canada, for example, there have been debates over the legality of Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau’s “voluntary tax,” which he calls a lottery, but which the federal government has ruled does not violate the nation’s law. Despite the controversy, though, the lottery has continued to draw participants from across Canada and beyond.
