Recently, an immigrant from Laos who has been fighting cancer for eight years was the winner of a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot prize earlier this month. Cheng Saephan and his wife Duanpen will share the prize with Laiza Chao who assisted in buying several tickets; all three will share in taking home an estimated total lump sum payment, after taxes, of $422 Million.
Saephan, an Iu Mien who fought alongside American forces during the Vietnam war, intends to use part of his winnings from Oregon Lottery officials’ lottery draw for good causes and others. At a news conference hosted by Oregon Lottery officials he stated his gratitude toward God for blessing him with success, explaining “it’s not about money – it’s about helping others and spreading peace and love”.
From last year onward, thousands of lottery players in Laos have raised serious concerns over its integrity since numbers that symbolize felines – considered lucky in Lao culture – appeared as winning combinations in three consecutive drawings sessions. Most recently on Oct 14th 09 disappeared from tickets purchased throughout the day before its national drawing session on that same day, according to sources in Vientiane speaking with RFA’s Lao Service.
Vilasack Phommaluck, an official from the Finance Ministry serving on the committee that oversees the lottery, told RFA that some changes have been implemented as a response to recent debate surrounding it. He indicated that cutting down drawings to one per week might help, although his committee doesn’t have authority over blocking certain numbers or stopping lottery company employees from manipulating them.
Phommaluck stressed that the committee is focused on maintaining fairness of play and will investigate allegations of corruption. He dismissed claims that weight of lottery balls may be changed to reduce winnings; “Too many variables exist to manipulate this game”, said Phommaluck.
