Laos’ lottery has long been seen as more than just an inexpensive form of entertainment – it has become part of its national tradition and symbolises hope for its people. People eagerly anticipate hearing each week when Monday and Friday brings results, clutching tickets with hearts pounding as results are announced and holding onto them until then! For some families it provides additional household income, investments for children’s futures or dreams for the future – though it has generated some controversy from accusations against state lottery tampering winning numbers or corruption from within.
Laos offers only legal gambling through state-run lotteries, sold at small convenience stores and other places across the country. Prizes vary from cash prizes up to new cars; though this lotto doesn’t draw as many spectators, it has nonetheless become part of Lao culture and society.
Lottery winnings can help those less fortunate with food and education for their children, invest in new businesses or start new lives; for the winners it represents a chance to realize their dreams; however, recently allegations have surfaced alleging the game is unfair.
Some players allege that lottery numbers are being altered to deprive them of winning large sums of money, specifically the number 67 which won three drawings last month and is associated with turtles which many consider bring bad luck. Other claims make by players include the weighting of lottery balls favoring certain numbers over others and manipulating winning outcomes; one government official told RFA’s Lao Service this will be investigated by a committee charged with overseeing lottery operations.
On August 17, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith’s office issued a directive asking Ministry of Finance – which oversees the legal state lottery – and Ministry of Public Security to address complaints pertaining to it. This directive stipulates reducing drawing dates from two weekly to one each week as well as more transparently handling winnings; additionally it bans informal football lotteries as well as lottery tickets purchased via mobile phone messaging services.
Though still lacking transparency, Laos’ government is taking steps to restore faith in the lottery. For instance, officials have begun cracking down on websites offering services similar to state-run lotteries – these sites allow Laos citizens to access lottery information and purchase tickets while also monitoring progress of weekly draws held Mondays and Fridays; it is free for use but contains ads; both iOS and Android users have access.
