In Laos, where the emerald Mekong River winds its way through rugged mountains and verdant plains, there is one tradition that binds communities together — a national lottery. And each announcement of the results stirs a wave of anticipation. For those who partake, it’s more than a chance to win big money – it’s a glimmer of hope and a piece of their shared cultural heritage.
A woman who grew up in an orphanage says she plans to donate part of her $55 million lottery jackpot to the people who raised her and her husband. Xia Rattanakone says she will also return to her native country to search for the family she left behind as a child in the turbulent 1960s and ‘70s.
The Laos lottery has a long history and was once a major source of revenue for religious congregations, as well as for the government. But the lottery was controversial and generated a lot of political tension. In 1969, Montreal mayor Lucien Drapeau was charged with illegally imposing a “voluntary tax” on lottery players, who were required to pay $2 for every ticket they purchased.
But lottery profits have dwindled since the late ’60s, due to changes in consumer preferences and a lack of new prizes. In addition, the lottery became more regulated, which led to a decline in sales, according to figures released by the government on Oct. 29.
In an effort to revitalize the industry, the Ministry of Finance – which oversees the legal state lottery – is working with other ministries and agencies to improve the system. Among other things, it will reduce drawing times from two to one a week and improve the transparency of the process. It will also close down informal football lotteries and lottery chances sold through short messaging services.
The ministry also said it would ban players who have not paid their taxes for three months or more. But it will not stop those who have already purchased tickets from the state-run company from playing, despite concerns that this could lead to an increase in fraud.
