The lottery is more than a simple pastime in Laos. It is a national tradition, a social leveller, and for many a glimmer of hope in a country where economic opportunities can be scarce. Thousands of people check their tickets with hearts pounding each month to see whether they have won a windfall. Many use their winnings to bolster household income, start small businesses, or save for their children’s education.
However, questions have been raised about the integrity of the lottery. Some players have accused the company of manipulating the results by changing the weight of the balls used in the drawing. Others have questioned whether the numbers are randomly chosen or simply picked by individuals. The company has denied such accusations and says it is a rumor.
Vilasack Phommaluck, a Finance Ministry official who serves on the committee that oversees the lottery, told RFA that there have been changes in response to earlier questions about the lottery’s legitimacy. One change is that the number 67—which is often associated with turtles, an animal considered in Lao culture to bring bad luck—has been disqualified from future drawings. Phommaluck said the committee is also considering reducing the number of drawings from two to one per week in an effort to restore faith in the game.
But the changes are unlikely to end all suspicions about the lottery. The question of whether the winning numbers are randomly chosen or selected by individuals will remain a hot topic for debate among Laos. Another issue is how to prevent private business interests from profiting off the lottery.
In Canada, a legal battle has been underway over Mayor Jean Drapeau’s plan to charge residents a voluntary tax to fund the city’s lottery. While the court has ruled against Drapeau’s levy, her city has appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Despite the ongoing controversy, the lottery continues to draw millions of players each year. In addition to the money it raises for good causes, the lottery is an important source of revenue for the government and has helped to reduce poverty in the country. In the United States, there are dozens of state-run lotteries. Many of them offer online betting.
To download and install the app, search for “Laos Lottery” in the Google Play store. Once the result appears, tap on Install. A pop-up window will ask for your permission, then display the installation progress. Once the app is installed, you can launch it from your Android device’s home screen. You can also find the app by going to the menu and tapping on its icon in the app drawer. The app is free to download. However, you will need to pay for in-app purchases to use certain features of the game.
