In the heart of Southeast Asia, where the Mekong River winds through rugged mountains and verdant plains, the nation of Laos nurtures a unique tradition – the lottery. Each announcement of the results sends a ripple of anticipation through the country, as participants check their tickets with hearts pounding in the hopes that they might be this year’s lucky winner. The lottery is more than a simple pastime; it’s a social leveller, a national tradition, and for many people, a glimmer of hope in a country where economic opportunities can be scarce.
The popularity of the Laos lotto has drawn ire from some government officials who have accused its organizers of corruption and fraud. In a bid to combat the problem, the office of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith recently sent a directive requiring the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the legal state lottery, to work with the Ministry of Public Security to better manage the issue. The directive says the number of drawings per week will be reduced from two to one, and winnings will be handled more transparently. In addition, informal football lotteries and lottery chances purchased via short messaging service will be closed down.
When a Canadian citizen won the $59 million jackpot in the French-language Quebec provincial lottery on June 29, her victory was overshadowed by the controversy that swirled around it. The winning ticket was purchased by a Montreal resident using a computer to select numbers, triggering a debate over whether the activity violated federal laws against gambling. The minister of justice argued that the system was illegal, while the mayor of Montreal defended it as a “voluntary tax” and maintained that his scheme did not infringe upon Canada’s criminal code.
While it is a matter of contention whether the Quebec Lottery is legal, its monthly draws continue to attract players from around the world. The money raised from the ticket sales helps support municipal and educational projects, as well as social services for needy citizens. The province also uses a portion of the funds to help families of prisoners.
A woman who grew up in a Laotian orphanage during the turbulent 1960s and ’70s plans to donate part of her $55 million lottery prize to her birth family. Xia Rattanakone, 44, was adopted by an American family in 1979 and lives in Seattle with her husband, Sommay Rattanakone, 52, who works as a teacher at a local school. The couple plan to retire from their jobs and spend the rest of their lives traveling.
The MCOT app for Laos Lottery offers an easy-to-use interface with a slew of lottery-related games, news and services. It’s available on Google Play, where it can be accessed by tapping on the search box or icon and then the “Install” button. A pop-up window will then display the permissions requested by the application, and you must tap on “Accept” to proceed.
While the excitement of the lottery can be infectious, it is important to remember that it is a game of chance and the scales of luck can tip either way. As such, a sense of responsibility should underpin participation so that the lottery does not become a source of financial strain.
