Amid the rugged mountains and verdant plains of Southeast Asia, the landlocked nation of Laos nurtures a unique tradition — a national lottery that is more than a game of chance. For the citizens who partake, it’s a source of hope and camaraderie – a way to connect with their shared culture and a glimpse into the human spirit’s enduring optimism.
But as the results of Laos lotto are announced each month, questions about the fairness of the lottery have surfaced. Those who play say the company that runs it, Thailand’s Insee Trading Company, knows which numbers people choose and may use that information to manipulate the draw. The company denies it.
The firm also has connections to the country’s ruling elite. According to a source who spoke with RFA’s Lao Service on condition of anonymity, the company’s executives and shareholders include members of the families of current prime minister Thongloun Sisoulith and former president Khamtay Siphandone. Moreover, the lottery’s business interests pay the government an annual concession fee for the privilege of operating it. But the public is not told how much.
Those who follow the lottery say that the shenanigans are not limited to number manipulation. They say the weight of the balls is also suspicious. “I have a suspicion that the lottery company is putting in heavier balls than others,” one local man who follows the lottery said. In response, Vilasack Phommaluck, the chairman of the lottery’s steering committee, denied such allegations.
While the rigors of the lotto are not for everyone, it can be a great source of entertainment and excitement for those who enjoy the chance to win big. It is important, however, that the thrill of participating in this form of gambling be tempered by a sense of responsibility and the understanding that the scales of luck could tilt either way.
A woman who grew up in an orphanage and was adopted by an American family says she plans to return to her native Laos and search for her birth parents after winning a recent lottery jackpot. Xia Rattanakone also wants to donate some of her winnings to the caretakers who raised her.
To get started, find the Laos Lottery app in your Google Play listing and tap the Install button. A pop-up window showing the permissions required by the app will appear. Click on Accept to continue with the installation. Once the app is installed, you will see a progress bar at the bottom of your screen. The Laos Lottery app will open automatically after completion. Then you can start playing your favorite games. You can also use the search function to quickly find the games you want to play. You can also change your game preferences and settings.
