Lottery in thailand is one of the most popular forms of gambling in the country. It is estimated that over $10 billion is spent on the lottery each year. The lottery is played at the state-owned National Lottery Corporation and at many private “huay tai in” (underground lottery houses). Most of the money bet on the lottery is placed on European soccer games, particularly English Premier League matches. In fact, over $2 billion dollars change hands on these bets every week. The phenomenon is so pervasive that the government once proposed delaying television broadcast of soccer matches by 30 minutes to reduce the number of bets, but this was roundly condemned.
Each lottery ticket has a six-digit number, and to discourage counterfeiting the tickets are printed on special yellow, thin, and smooth paper that is coated with chemicals. The paper also features a two-tone watermark of Wayupak, a mythical bird. The paper is also laced with silk thread, of which one type can be seen with the naked eye and the other can only be viewed under an ultraviolet light. To make things more secure, the paper is also printed with a drop of bleach will cause it to stain, but without the chemical, the paper will not show any stains at all.
Winning the lottery is a big deal in Thailand, and people use a variety of strategies to try to improve their chances of winning. For example, some people will visit a temple or shrine to ask for luck. Others will visit a fortune teller for a consultation. Still, others will simply rely on their lucky numbers to get them through. Some people even visit the grave of a deceased monk in the hope of getting some hints about which numbers will win the lottery.
In the past, lottery winners were required to visit GLO offices in order to receive their winnings. This was a hassle for those living outside Bangkok, but it was made easier in the early 2000s when former Prime Minister Thaksin expanded legalized gambling. Afterward, retail venues were allowed to sell tickets directly from GLO. In addition, people with lower income levels could buy lottery tickets at these venues.
To claim their prize, lottery winners must present the winning ticket and a valid ID card or passport. If they want to cash in their winnings immediately, they must do so within two years of the drawing date. Winnings of 20,000 or less can be cashed out at any authorized retail venue, while larger amounts must be claimed at the GLO headquarters in Nonthaburi. Prizes over 200,000 are paid out in the form of a cheque. The winner has a right to refuse the payment if they feel that it is not fair or reasonable, but this must be done in writing. The winner must also pay 0.5% stamp duty on government lottery winnings and 1% for charitable lotteries. This is to ensure that the winnings are being remitted to the proper fund.
