A Laotian immigrant recently won a record-setting $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot prize after eight years of fighting cancer and just finishing chemotherapy treatment. They will share equally the prize with Laiza Chao, another friend who chipped in $100 to purchase tickets with them, taking home $422 Million after taxes are taken out.
Lotto officials in Laos are reportedly cheating the system and manipulating winning numbers, according to sources. Drawings held three times every week by Laos’ lottery often showcase numbers that either don’t appear on purchased tickets or are considered unlikely picks, according to these same sources.
An RFA caller reported to the agency that some businesses that run Laos’ national lottery have close ties to its ruling elite, according to an RFA caller. Unfortunately, the public does not know how much these business interests pay annually in concession fees and they remain unregulated.
Many private businesses in America have invested millions of dollars into lotteries, and some are making money on its monthly draws. Individuals also play in groups – often friends or neighbors – where money may or may not be equally distributed. Illegal lotteries with players from foreign nations may also exist.
The government recently began cracking down on illegal lottery operations, the minister of finance informed the National Assembly. According to him, lottery games from different countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China and South Korea were being illegally sold online up to four times daily without legal authority being provided to these websites by lottery regulators. He instructed his ministry to invest in technology capable of tracking these unlawful websites.
Laos holds a special significance for many, as the number 509 is associated with buffalo as a sign of good fortune. Many wanted to choose this number during an October 14 drawing but access was blocked throughout its day and only restored about an hour before its start time.
Lotteries first gained popularity in Europe during the 18th century, when they were used to fund religious congregations and charitable organizations. At first, lottery events raised funds that went toward building religious buildings or supporting other causes associated with religion. Over time, lotteries generated so much money that they became an indispensable source of income for both monarchy and church, leading to major disagreements regarding control of lotteries in the second half of 19th century. Today, lotteries can be found almost in every country around the globe; including state-owned national lotteries. Furthermore, health lotteries abound as well; for example in the UK there is the National Lottery which features games such as Lotto, Thunderball and Set for Life as well as health lotteries.
