Amid the mountainous terrain and French colonial architecture of Southeast Asia, the tiny nation of Laos nurtures a unique tradition – a national lottery. For the thousands of citizens who partake, it is more than just a game of chance; it’s a source of hope, a connection to their fellow citizens, and a piece of their shared cultural fabric. With the October 23 results recently announced, the lottery continues to stir a wave of anticipation across the country.
A woman who grew up in an orphanage in the turbulent 1960s and ’70s says she plans to donate part of her $55 million lottery jackpot to the people who raised her. Xia Rattanakone, who lives in Seattle, said she also wants to return to Laos to search for her birth family and help other orphans. She and her husband, Sommay Rattanakone, plan to retire from their jobs, he as an aide in the Seattle Public Schools system and she as a temporary worker at Nintendo of America, to travel the world.
Unlike some other lotteries, which focus only on sequences of numbers, the Laos lottery incorporates a mystical aura of lucky animal symbols, adding an intriguing twist to the draw. This time around, the winning numbers were 20 (crab), 21 (weaverbird), and 11 (dog). Other winners included the number 43 for rice and a three-number combination of 8487.
In a country that has a history of insufficient funding for religious orders, the lottery helped raise money to build or rebuild 15 churches and other buildings. By the 18th century, it was one of the main sources of income for religious congregations, and at times there were disputes between the monarchy and church over control.
The Laos lottery is a government operation, preventing it from having any connections to underground gambling activities. The lottery also ensures that winnings are evenly distributed between all participating players, a nod to fairness and equality. In a nation with limited economic opportunities, the lottery offers a glimmer of hope for many of its citizens.
