In Laos, the nation known for its mountainous terrain and French colonial architecture, hill tribe villages, and Buddhist monasteries, there’s a slice of life that pulses rhythmically, a cultural fixture that unites the country – the lottery. Despite its seemingly simple, straightforward form, the lottery is more than a game of chance; it’s a government-operated operation that, in many ways, serves as a nod to fairness and equality.
Nevertheless, officials are accused of rigging the system in order to avoid large pay-outs. Drawings often show numbers that mysteriously disappear from purchased tickets, or that are deemed unlucky and unlikely to be chosen, Lao residents tell RFA’s Lao Service. For example, on Oct. 14 this year, the winning number 509 appeared only as 5 on tickets sold throughout the day of the drawing after a large group of people sought to buy tickets with that number, a resident in the capital Vientiane told RFA.
While the lottery is still a popular source of entertainment and money for many people around the world, it’s important to remember that lotteries can also be dangerous and lead to gambling addiction. Fortunately, there are resources available to those who need help. In the United States, there are several state-run lotteries including Mega Millions and Powerball. Likewise, Australia has state and national games such as Lotto, Set for Life and the Health Lottery. In addition to state-run lotteries, countries such as Bulgaria and the Isle of Man have private lotteries. In Canada, the Quebec City mayor’s ‘voluntary tax’ on lottery winnings was ruled illegal in 1968.
