Lotteries are games of chance in which players win prizes for guessing correctly numbers drawn at random. They are a common form of gambling and are operated by state and local governments as well as privately. They are also commonly used to raise funds for public services and projects. Lottery winnings are often used to provide financial support for education systems. In addition, lottery proceeds are sometimes used to fund public buildings and parks in many countries.
New Zealand
New Zealand operates a national lottery administered by an autonomous Crown entity, Lotto New Zealand. Lottery profits are distributed by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board to a number of charities and community organizations. These include sport and recreation groups, cultural organizations, and the Film Commission. Lotto New Zealand also offers online lottery games through licensed re-sellers Netlotto Pty Ltd and Jumbo Interactive.
Liechtenstein
In the early 20th century, the government of Liechtenstein established a state-controlled foundation to administer lotteries. This foundation, known as the International Lottery Foundation (ILLF), launched the first Internet lottery, PLUS Lotto, in 1995 and processed the first online gaming transaction. It now has multiple websites branded as the ILLF brands and offers a variety of online games including instant scratch card games. The ILLF supports charitable projects and organizations domestically and internationally.
Laos
The Laos state lottery is rigged to keep the prize payouts low, a source in Vientiane told RFA’s Lao Service. Drawings in the communist nation often show numbers that have vanished from purchased tickets or are deemed unlucky. In one incident, a number that was announced as the winner of the Oct. 14 lottery—509—was not available for purchase throughout the day before the drawing, but was suddenly offered for sale again just an hour before the scheduled time.
Moreover, the state-owned companies that operate the lottery are not transparent about their work and are not subject to public scrutiny, the source said. These businesses are controlled by members of the ruling elite and allegedly pay the national lottery commission for the right to hold the lottery. In return, they get tax breaks, the source added.
Officials in the communist country have denied these allegations. Deputy Finance Minister and state lottery supervisor Sila Viengkeo told RFA in an Aug. 17 interview that the state will strictly enforce its latest directive to bolster transparency and ensure fairness in its lottery operations. He said the alleged problems with the lottery are the result of “individuals who want to take advantage” of people. He added that his department will investigate the matter further. (Reported by Ounkeo Souksavanh; translated by Bounchanh Mouangkham; edited by Richard Finney)