While thai lotto isn’t the biggest lottery in the world, the odds of winning the top prize are pretty favorable. That’s probably due to a combination of factors including the fact that many Thais take superstitious considerations into account when buying tickets. For example, figures in dog barks (three is a lucky number), the number of spots on a cat’s fur (three equals a perfect circle), snakes (six is a lucky number, and a giant snake represents the number six) and rats (linked to the number one) are just some of the superstitions that are often consulted before purchasing a ticket.
As a result, the purchase of thai lotto tickets can be quite an emotional affair. People will often go out of their way to find the right number, and sometimes even make special arrangements to buy a lottery ticket at a particular time in order to increase their chances of winning. In some cases, people will even go so far as to consult fortune-tellers to ensure that they are buying a legitimate lottery ticket and not one that has been printed on stolen paper.
In the past, lottery ticket sales were handled in a complicated fashion, with tickets being printed by the GLO, then sold to wholesalers who then distributed them to retail venues. This multi-tiered system caused ticket prices to skyrocket as brokers and retail outlets added a percentage to the price in order to generate revenue. This practice was eventually cracked down, and the maximum price per lottery ticket was set at 80 baht.
Today, the GLO directly distributes lottery tickets to retail outlets throughout the country. This makes it easier to purchase a ticket, and it also reduces the risk of counterfeit tickets being sold. In addition to the obvious benefits, this distribution system has made it possible for a wider range of people in Thailand to participate in the lottery.
Those who win a prize will have to visit the GLO offices in Bangkok in order to claim their award. In order to do so, they must bring their winning lottery ticket/s, a valid ID document, and bank account details. If they are a foreigner, they must also bring their passport. The total prize amount is usually paid out in cash, but the GLO does have the ability to issue a cheque for larger amounts.
The government takes a significant part of the lottery’s proceeds, with 60% being funnelled to the prize fund and 20% being directed towards street vendors, national wholesalers, social activity funds and foundation, association, and organization discounts. The rest is used for administrative costs. The GLO also maintains an extensive network of authorised lottery dealers. However, as of yet there is no option to play thai lotto online. This is something that the government is currently working on. In the future, it is likely that a fully functional online lottery site will be launched. This will be a great opportunity for those who want to try their hand at the lottery without having to travel all the way to Bangkok.
