Lotteries are an essential source of revenue for governments worldwide. Some lotteries are run by governments while others can be private-run. A lottery is a game in which numbers are drawn randomly to determine who wins an attractive prize, such as cash, goods or services. They are popular among many people and contribute significantly towards meeting essential public needs like education and healthcare costs; proceeds from ticket sales help finance the building and maintenance of churches or other religious buildings.
Laos’ lottery games are overseen and operated by several state-owned enterprises under government regulation, but recently came under heavy fire due to claims that lottery operations encourage gambling addiction among Laotians. In response, Laos reduced its selection of games available and discontinued scratchcard lottery altogether.
Though they face criticism from various quarters, lottery operatorss remain firm in their determination to conduct operations. Many view lottery draws as being unfair; winning numbers sometimes vanish from purchased tickets or are considered unlucky and unlikely to be chosen. According to an anonymous caller from Laos who spoke on condition of anonymity, officials manipulate results so as to reduce large pay-outs.
Laos is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia where its government controls a national lottery, yet its state-owned company running the lotterie does not appear transparent in its operations; for example, no information regarding annual profits, employee numbers or taxes paid is disclosed by this firm; moreover, details regarding winning numbers cannot be provided either.
Laos Development Lottery recently announced two winners of a jackpot worth 7.2 billion kip – one of its largest wins ever! Mr Thongdy won an astonishing 1.2 billion after purchasing an Insee ticket from local distributor. Ms Phonxay Chanthavong made history again by purchasing six-digit tickets on Insee App for just 1,000 Kip and winning big!
Dr Charles (Chip) Zuckerman will explore the cultural, moral, and economic history of Laos’ state-owned lottery enterprise since its formation in 1975. He will consider how its rationalization by Laos as an economic activity that supports socialist goals translates into reality for lottery players on the ground; reflecting upon ethnographic research conducted between 2013 and 2016 in Luang Prabang; discussing examples from fieldwork conducted between 2013-2016 as he shows us the many ways playing, selecting numbers, and winning have altered lives; concluding by asking what this tells us about state enterprises more broadly.