In the landlocked nation of Laos, the lottery is more than a game of chance – it’s a social leveller, a tradition that unites communities and a beacon of hope for many. Every announcement of the results stirs excitement across the country and gives citizens a glimmer of hope that they may be lucky enough to win.
The lottery was first introduced to Laos in the 18th century, a time of economic turmoil that saw religious congregations struggling to fund their work. A lottery was a way to raise money to build and maintain churches. This became one of the main sources of income for these organizations and helped them prosper and grow.
There was some debate about the legality of this new tax. Some argued that it was a form of gambling and was therefore illegal. Others disagreed, and the lottery continued to be held each month. By the end of the century, sales had increased to nearly 1 million Lao kip per ticket.
A woman who grew up in an orphanage during the turbulent 1960s and ‘70s says she plans to donate some of the $55 million she and her husband won on the Laos lotto to her family back home. Xia Rattanakone and her husband Sommay plan to use the winnings to retire from their jobs, his as an aide in Seattle schools and hers at Nintendo of America, and travel to Laos to find their birth families.
While the lottery is primarily based on sequences of numbers, it also integrates a mystical aura of animals into its system, reflecting the rich culture that surrounds it. This adds a unique twist to the game, with each number bearing a certain cultural significance. For example, the numbers 11 for dogs, 05 for porcupines and 02 for shells are believed to bring good luck. As the results for the October 23 draw are announced and winners celebrate their fortune, those who were not as fortunate look forward to next month’s draw with a renewed sense of hope.
