THAI LOTTERY
In Thailand, lottery is an extremely popular form of gambling. It is operated by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) and is one of the only legal forms of gambling that can be undertaken in the country. As a result, it is highly regulated and prize money is huge – in 2014, over 19.2 million people from all different age groups played the lottery and spent over 76 billion baht (2.3 billion USD) buying tickets each year. The popularity of the lottery is also down to the fact that it is accessible for people from all income levels, since other forms of gambling are prohibited in Thailand and GLO has a well-established legislative framework that sets out how tickets are sold and how prizes are paid out.
Although Thais love to gamble and the chasing of lucky numbers is a major part of the culture, it doesn’t always end up being very profitable. The top prize in the lottery is only around 6 million baht, which isn’t as high as the jackpots of European or American lotteries. However, the enormous national popularity and the passion that Thais have for this game means that it is an activity that many want to try at least once in their lives.
There are several ways that you can play the lottery in Thailand, including online. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) offers a digital ticketing system that allows players to buy tickets on the go, via their mobile phones. The system is available in Thai and English, and can be used by both national and international users. The digital tickets are printed on security paper and include a variety of anti-counterfeiting features. They are also pre-printed and can only be purchased in ticket pairs.
The cost of a ticket pair is 80 baht, and there are more than 14,700 authorized retail venues across the country where you can purchase them. The GLO also offers a special discount for military personnel, students, and retirees. It’s important to note that you should only buy tickets from a licensed retailer and not from street vendors. In addition, it’s a good idea to check the watermarks on the tickets and look for any anomalies.
If you’re a winner, you have two years from the date of the drawing to claim your prize. You can do so at any of the authorized retail venues or at the head GLO office in Nonthaburi. Larger sums must be claimed in person, and you will need to pay a small tax in order to receive your prize.
Currently, you cannot play the Thai lottery online. While this is disappointing, it’s not a big deal. In the future, you may be able to play the lottery online through an official GLO website. This will be a great option for international players who want to play the Thai lottery. However, for now, you’ll have to visit an authorized retail venue or purchase a digital ticket through Paotang.
