Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, where rugged mountains and verdant plains meet, the nation of Laos nurtures a unique tradition – the national lottery. A distinctly Laotian cultural spectacle, the lottery is more than just a simple announcement of winning numbers. It intertwines the mystical aura of animal symbols into its system, creating a fascinating blend of number combinations and luck. For example, this particular draw’s lucky animal numbers were 20 (crab), 21 (weaver bird), and 33 (spider). Each creature carries with it a different cultural significance that can carry winds of fortune for those who choose their tickets wisely.
The Laos national lottery is a three-day-per-week event that features multiple games. Each game has a different prize amount and a specific draw date, and the prizes are distributed to winners through cash or gift vouchers. It is one of the most popular games in the country, with a monthly prize pool of up to $2 million. However, the lottery isn’t without its controversies. While many critics view the lottery as a form of gambling for the poor, others say it is an opportunity to support local causes and charities.
In addition to its hefty jackpots, the national lottery also benefits religious congregations in Laos. It helped to fund the construction or rebuilding of several churches in Paris during the 18th century, and became a source of controversy between the monarchy and the church over control of the lotteries.
While most southeastern Asian nations ban all forms of gambling for their citizens, Laos allows them to play the state lottery. In addition, thousands of tourists flood the few land-based casinos in the country each year. Online betting is also available in Laos, as international bookmakers accept players from the country.
Gambling in Laos is a little complicated as the law on the subject has not been fully enacted yet. While gambling is illegal, the government has set up Special Economic Zones which are leased to foreign companies and allow the country to host land-based casinos. In addition, players from Laos can enjoy online casino games at numerous offshore websites without the risk of getting caught.
Xia Rattanakone, an adoptive mother who won the Laos Lottery in 2011, says she will donate some of her $55 million jackpot to help her family in Laos and search for her birth parents. She and her husband plan to retire from their jobs in Seattle, where she works as an aide and her husband is a temporary worker for Nintendo of America. The couple will then move to Laos to be closer to their families, and start a business selling lottery products. The money will also allow them to travel and continue to work as volunteers in a refugee camp in Thailand.