The lottery is more than just sequences of numbers. It is also a cultural phenomenon that weaves the mystical aura of Laos’ traditional beliefs into a captivating interplay of number combinations and animal symbols. The October 23 draw offered a potent combination of luck and fortune, with the prize for the six-number jackpot standing at a staggering $55 million.
The national lottery is the only legal source of income for many people in this tiny landlocked country, where the unemployment rate hovers above 50 percent and poverty is widespread. But the lottery also provides a source of social interaction, bringing neighbors and family members together to buy tickets and watch the numbers roll in.
Some of those who play the lottery have taken it to heart and used their winnings to improve the lives of others. Xia Rattanakone, for example, won nearly $5.2 million and plans to give a portion of her windfall to her family back home in Laos, where she grew up in an orphanage.
Nevertheless, controversies have roiled the nation over the legitimacy of the lottery. In Quebec, for instance, there were heated debates over whether Montreal’s mayor, Jean Drapeau, was violating the law by charging a “voluntary tax” on tickets sold through his short messaging service. The controversy eventually led to an amendment to Canada’s laws allowing a provincial government to operate a lottery system.
Concerns over the lottery were heightened when several recent drawing results raised questions. For example, the number 509 is associated with a sacred buffalo, which is believed to bring good fortune, and the number was unavailable in the lottery station for much of the day before the drawing on Oct. 10. A source who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity said the company running the lottery in Laos has access to the numbers people choose, and thus is able to manipulate the results.
A Ministry of Finance official on the committee overseeing the lottery told RFA that changes are being implemented to address concerns and help restore faith in the game. In addition to cutting the number of drawing days down to one per week, officials are aiming to make the lottery more transparent and ensure that winnings are distributed fairly. Those involved in the process say they are optimistic that the changes will boost confidence in the game and improve the livelihoods of those who depend on it for financial security. But the ministry official acknowledged that lottery playing should be done responsibly, with a full awareness of its nature as a form of gambling and that fortune can tilt either way at any time. The official urged people to remember that the lottery is not just about money, but also about hope and belonging.
