The thai lotto is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Thailand. It takes place twice a month and is played by almost 19 million people or 28.6% of the country’s population. Many of the people who sell tickets are poor, deaf or blind and the job offers them a good income. However, the lottery business is becoming more competitive and these traders are struggling to keep up with rising competition.
In order to sell thai lotto tickets, individuals need to be registered with the Government Lottery Office (GLO). The GLO also requires a valid identification document and bank account details from each seller. The GLO will issue a permit to sell lottery tickets to those who meet the requirements. Those who do not can be prosecuted under the law.
The GLO is the sole organization responsible for conducting the lottery in Thailand. The organization has a number of responsibilities including establishing rules and regulations for the industry, ensuring the fairness of the games, registering and verifying players, and collecting the appropriate taxes. In addition, the GLO is responsible for conducting a series of promotional activities to raise awareness about the lottery and its benefits.
Lottery tickets are sold throughout the country, from convenience stores to street vendors. The resulting revenue is used to support public projects, charity and social activities, and to boost the national economy. The remainder is distributed to various sectors, with 60% going to prize money and 20% being funnelled to the treasury. The rest is divided between street vendors (12%), ticket wholesalers (2%), foundations and associations (3%), and a discount for the general public.
Unlike many countries where lottery winnings are paid out in cash, most Thailand prizes are awarded by cheque. Winners must present their winning ticket and a valid identification document to claim their prize. Larger sums are usually claimed at the head office of the Government Lottery Office in Nonthaburi.
Gambling is a major part of Thai culture. Although it is officially illegal and frowned upon by Buddhism, the country is filled with gambling dens and the lottery is widely played. Even bus tickets have a lottery number on them and military service is determined by a lucky draw. Many Thais also bet on European soccer matches, with a reported $2 billion dollars in bets changing hands each year.
In June this year, the thai lotto went digital. In a move to cut out the middleman, which was profiting from the system, the thai lotto launched an app called “Pao Tang” where people can purchase their tickets. This has angered some street lottery vendors who were previously able to sell their tickets for much higher prices than the official ones.
Despite the fact that the results of the thai lotto are pre-printed and not picked by the player, there are still a number of superstitions surrounding the numbers. While the vast majority of players are likely to choose the most popular numbers, a few lucky players can make a big difference in the outcome of a lottery drawing. As such, some players look to experts for help when choosing their lottery numbers.
