Lottery in thailand is the only form of legal gambling allowed in the country. It is conducted by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) twice a month, on the first and the 16th of every month. It is played by more than 19 million Thais, or 28.6% of the country’s population.
The GLO is a state-owned enterprise with a very strict legislative framework. It determines how tickets are printed, who can sell them, and what percentage of the proceeds will go to national causes. The result is a highly reliable lottery with no risk to consumers. In addition, it is one of the only legitimate lottery games in the world that offers a guarantee on its prizes.
Unlike many other lottery games, the odds of winning are excellent, at just 1 in 1. The top prize is a generous 30 million baht. The second and fourth prizes are 100,000 baht each, while the third prize is 40,000 baht. These are the lowest jackpots of any lotto in the world.
Each ticket features a six-digit number and a special watermark that includes two versions of the Wayupak bird, which is a national symbol in Thailand. It also has a security strip that can be read using a microscope, and is coated with chemicals so that drops of bleach will show stains on the paper. The GLO has also set up a system that allows a random selection of winners in case of a mistake.
In addition to the main prize, each draw has a further four three-digit numbers which carry prizes of up to ThB 4,000. These appear on the website of the GLO at around 5pm on lottery days. A Draw Chairman randomly selects a colored ball to decide the order of lesser prize draws. A yellow ball indicates a second prize, pink for a third, green for a fourth, and blue for a fifth.
The government’s share of the total proceeds from ticket sales is 28%. The rest is divided among street vendors, ticket wholesalers, a social activity fund, and foundation, association, and organization discounts.
A common pastime in Thailand is placing bets on European soccer matches, particularly English Premier League games. This activity is estimated to bring in a staggering $2 billion dollars in revenue each year. The government has tried to reduce the problem by proposing delaying the TV broadcast of football games by 30 minutes, but this proposal was roundly condemned.
Although it may not be the most impressive lottery out there in terms of top prizes, the Thai Lottery is still a fun and straightforward game. Its incredible national popularity is a testament to the passion with which people chase their lucky numbers. The top prize of 30 million baht is enough to buy a small condo in most parts of the country, and even if you don’t win the jackpot, the excellent odds make it a good choice for anyone who wants to try their luck.
