In the small, landlocked nation of Laos, amidst the mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture and hill tribe settlements, there is a slice of life that pulses rhythmically and unites the nation – the national lottery. The lottery is much more than a simple pastime: it is a social leveler, a cherished tradition and for many people, a glimmer of hope. The announcement of the results of each draw sends ripples of excitement throughout the country as winners celebrate their good fortune, and those who were not so lucky wait with baited breath for the next drawing.
The Laos lottery is a fascinating blend of numbers and culture, with each number representing an animal. For example, the number 20 is believed to bring good luck to players, as it represents the crab. Other numbers are associated with various animals, including the dog (11), weaver bird (12) and spider (16). The numbers also carry a certain amount of mystical aura, with the mystical animal names adding to the intrigue.
There was some controversy in Canada over whether this type of lottery was legal, with the Minister of Justice arguing that it was illegal and Montreal’s mayor countering that it did not contravene any laws. But the lottery continued to operate without a hitch, and players from across Canada, Europe and Asia took part.
In addition to the regular weekly lottery draws, there are also daily mini-lotteries that allow players to win smaller prizes, such as mobile phones, TVs or cash prizes. These mini-lotteries are often played by those who cannot afford to purchase tickets for the main lotteries. Nevertheless, these mini-lotteries can be just as exciting as the larger ones.
The Laos state lottery system is undergoing major reforms to address issues such as corruption and fraud. On Aug. 17, the office of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith sent a directive to the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the state lottery, requesting that it work with the ministry of public security to better manage the state lottery system. Among other things, the directive states that state lottery drawings will be reduced from two to one a week and that winnings must be handled in a more transparent manner. It also says that informal football lotteries and lottery chances purchased through short messaging service will be closed down. This move is designed to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the state lottery, a process that has been hampered by scandals in recent years. In this way, the directive aims to ensure that the lottery serves its intended purpose as a source of funding for public works and social welfare programs.
