Laos, a small Southeast Asian nation whose land is laced with rugged mountains and verdant plains, nurtures an intriguing tradition – the lottery. Each time the results are announced, the country is swept up in a wave of anticipation and camaraderie. Those who are lucky enough to win the prize use it to bolster their incomes, invest in businesses, or put money toward dreams they might never have been able to afford otherwise. The lottery is more than just a game – it’s a glimmer of hope for people who live in one of the world’s poorest countries.
But, it has come to light that lottery officials in Laos are rigging the system to avoid large pay-outs. In the past, a winning number has mysteriously vanished from purchased tickets or appeared to be randomly assigned by computer to people who have already chosen their numbers, sources told RFA’s Lao Service. The latest incident occurred on Oct. 14 this year, when the number 509 appeared only as a five on ticket purchases throughout the day of the drawing and then suddenly changed to a six minutes before the draw was held.
The lottery has a long history in the country, dating back to the 18th century when it became one of the main sources for funding religious congregations. It eventually became a battleground between the monarchy and the church, as they both sought control of the lucrative enterprise. In the 1960s, however, the government changed the law to allow provincial governments to operate their own lottery systems.
Despite the controversies, the lottery remains hugely popular in the country and it is estimated that more than half of the population participates at least once per month. The lottery is available online as well as in brick-and-mortar shops. It also offers a variety of different games and jackpots. Some of these games include Lotto, Thunderball, Set for Life, and the Health Lottery.
In addition to the normal numbers, the lottery also includes symbols and lucky animals. Each animal has its own symbolism, and is believed to bring good luck to those who choose its number. The symbols and numbers combine to create a unique blend of chance and luck that is the foundation for this unique lottery game.
To download the app, go to Google Play and search for “laos lotto.” Once you find the app, tap on the install button. A pop-up window will display the permissions required by the app, and you’ll be asked to accept them. Once you have done this, the download and installation process will begin immediately. Once the app is finished downloading, you’ll receive a notification when it’s ready to be opened. Once you’ve launched the app, you can start playing the Laos Lottery!