One of the lottery’s most famous winners is an immigrant from Laos who has battled cancer for eight years and plans to divide his prize, totalling $422 Million after taxes, with his friend who contributed $100 to buy tickets together.
Lotteries were introduced into France during the 18th century as a means of funding religious congregations without taxing citizens, quickly becoming one of the primary sources of funds in France. By midcentury, their popularity had become such that it created significant social issues and created tension between church and state.
As part of an effort to decrease gambling addictions, the government subsidized public lotteries and decreased maximum prize amounts, yet many players still lost money and some even developed gambling addictions. As a response, the National Lottery Company introduced new form of lottery that was more socially responsible.
This new lottery was known as “Sans Topu,” or socially responsible, and offered all the same winning numbers without offering a jackpot prize. Furthermore, to encourage participation among players more matches could earn players prizes that increased in proportion with matching numbers they held.
Though these changes occurred, the Sans Topu lottery remained popular amongst the general population and helped boost the economy. But soon thereafter, governments started experiencing serious financial issues related to lottery games, prompting them to revisit their policy on these games.
One caller to RFA’s Lao Service reported that private business interests are mostly responsible for the lottery in Laos and often corrupt. He claimed the businesses involved include family businesses of ruling elite members; yet no public information about how much these companies pay the government in concession fees is given out to the general public.
Another issue has been the weight of balls used for lottery drawings. Allegations has surfaced that some balls may be heavier than others and thus be used to manipulate the outcome of draws. Vilasack Phommaluck, chairman of the committee overseeing lotteries, refuted these accusations by noting they thoroughly tested all balls before releasing them to the public.
Laos has restrictive gambling regulations, yet many of its residents have found ways around them. Players from this country are accepted at offshore online casinos that accept players from this nation and offer anonymous gaming without breaking any laws; as well as languages spoken by most residents; bonuses and promotions not available at land-based casinos in Laos are also offered online casinos.