Lotteries are a form of gambling where participants purchase tickets in hopes of winning an attractive prize, typically in the form of cash or items valued at large sums of money or valuable items. Government bodies regulate lotteries to ensure fair play and honesty among participants as well as raise money for charity or tax citizens depending on where the lotterie is run. Some enjoy participating in lotteries for fun while others worry about potential rigging or fraud when playing the Laos Lotto for instance.
Concerns have been voiced by lottery players in Laos, where three weekly national lotteries are held with spectators hoping for big payouts. The lottery company responsible for conducting drawings has been accused of manipulating winning numbers. Oft times, numbers selected as winners appear in the final drawing without being purchased on any ticket, and other numbers vanish after they are bought. RFA’s Lao service received reports from one source that RFA’s Lao lottery company was blocking certain numbers it deemed unlucky, according to this source. Vilasack Phommaluck refuted these allegations, telling RFA that such decisions lie outside its purview and do not come under scrutiny of the lottery steering committee.
Last month’s Powerball jackpot winner was an immigrant from Laos undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, according to Oregon Lottery officials. Cheng Saephan will share the $1.3 billion windfall among himself, his wife, and a friend who chipped in $100 each to purchase over 20 Powerball tickets for them – splitting $422 million after taxes as an instant lump-sum payout. At his news conference identifying himself as part of Iu Mien ethnic group found throughout Southeast Asia and with roots extending back into southern China
Lotteries are an integral part of society in Laos, making up one of its primary forms of entertainment. While gambling may not be legal in all areas of Laos, special economic zones do permit lotteries. There are multiple national lottery companies and several regional ones; of these, state-run lotteries account for most of the market share. Regional companies dominated by business interests with connections to Lao’s ruling elite are some of the regional companies operating legally gambling operations, selling lottery tickets at supermarkets and street corners throughout Laos and Vietnam, including members of their Cabinet or former ministers. Other operations may operate from countries like Vietnam or Thailand that have legalized gambling – these products can even be found being sold in supermarkets and street corners with some being known to have altered results; still others continue attracting lottery enthusiasts regardless.
