A communist nation bordered by the capitals of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China, Laos is known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture and hill tribe settlements. But the country also has a culture that pulses rhythmically and unites the people – the lottery. Three times a week, small aluminium tables with LED lamps line the streets in Savannakhet and across the nation as Laos’ citizens choose their lucky numbers or animals in the national lottery.
But some say lottery officials rig the game to avoid large pay-outs. Drawings, which take place three times a week, often show numbers that disappear from purchased tickets or are deemed unlucky and unlikely to win. For example, in the Oct. 14 drawing, the winning number 509 appeared only as 5 on tickets sold throughout the day until it was changed 10 minutes before the scheduled drawing, a source in the capital Vientiane told RFA.
Lottery is a popular form of gambling in Laos, with players able to choose from a wide range of games and prizes. In addition to the main lottery, there are several provincial and local lotteries. Most of these offer a variety of different games, including keno and sports betting. But the most popular lotteries in Laos are those that involve a chance to win big prizes, such as cash and cars.
In the 19th century, lottery revenues were one of the primary sources of funding for Catholic congregations. These funds helped build or rebuild about 15 Paris churches, such as St. Sulpice and Le Pantheon. But the lottery became a battleground between the King and the Church, as the royal government sought to control the distribution of the proceeds. The King eventually relinquished control to the Church, which in turn established its own lotteries and started collecting a percentage of the proceeds from the games.
The first government-sponsored lottery in Canada was launched in 1965 and is still running today, with the main games being Lotto, Lotto 6/49 and Thunderball. Other games include Set for Life, Goliath and the Health Lottery. Australia also has state and territory lotteries, plus a national game operated by Tatts Group. And the United Kingdom has the National Lottery, as well as the EuroMillions and the Health Lottery.
The MCOT app for Laos Lottery is the logical next step in the government’s commitment to promote and protect the interests of lottery players in the country. The free app offers a comprehensive suite of lottery-related news, information and services. The MCOT app for Laos also provides a cost-effective and convenient way to reach a largely untapped market of lottery customers. It also demonstrates the government’s commitment to the development of the country’s digital economy. The app is available for Android and iOS devices. The official website of the MCOT app is available here. Unlike the official website of the Laos Lottery, which lists only past results, the MCOT app includes information about current and upcoming draws, as well as Laos Lottery results.
