thai lottery is one of the two legal forms of gambling in Thailand (the other is horse racing). While the military government has cracked down on illegal gambling, people continue to spend millions of dollars every year on the bi-monthly government lottery. The governing body, the Government Lottery Office (GLO), prints the tickets and sells them to wholesalers for distribution to the public. The GLO’s website contains the official rules and regulations for lottery play in Thailand.
In a country where Buddhism is the main religion, it’s no surprise that the number game is so popular. Many Thais visit their local vicar not only to get a prayer for good luck but also for hints on what numbers will do well in the lottery draw. Visiting temples and shrines is equally common for the same purpose, and some people even head to a monk’s grave to pay their respects but in the hope of receiving lottery tips – maybe the date of the deceased monk’s birth or death, or the hospital room number where he was admitted.
The lottery is so popular in Thailand that it has become a major source of revenue for the government. In 2014, the lottery brought in over 19 million baht in profits, and that’s before factoring in the bonus prize of 22 or 30 million baht. Despite the fact that gambling is considered sinful by Buddhism, people continue to bet on the lottery and are not afraid to take huge risks for a shot at winning big.
It’s possible for foreigners to buy thai lottery tickets online, but you will have to choose the right website. Make sure that the site is licensed by the authorities and provides a secure betting environment. It should also offer a customer service team that can answer your queries and concerns. If you’re unsure about which website to select, ask other players for recommendations.
To claim your prize, you’ll have to present your ticket and a Thai ID card or passport (for foreigners). You should also write your details at the back of your ticket. The winner will then be asked to fill out a claim form and wait in the queue until called to receive the prize money. The process may be long, but it is worth the effort.
The government takes 28% of the total lottery profits for state affairs and uses. The rest is divided among street vendors (12%), ticket wholesalers (2%), social activity fund (3%), and foundation, association, and organization discount (3%). In addition, the government will also provide a lottery machine maintenance budget of 5%. This is to ensure that the lottery system remains functional and safe for the public. The lottery is played by nearly 19 million people in the country. It is a popular pastime for both locals and tourists. The prizes range from small amounts of money to expensive vehicles and property. The highest jackpot was won by a single player who purchased a single ticket in 2011. It was worth almost $70 million.
