Lao state lottery officials are rigging the system, limiting winning chances to those who buy tickets from private business interests with close ties to the ruling elite, sources in the communist nation tell RFA’s Lao Service. Private business interests are also able to manipulate lottery drawings by changing numbers, they say. For example, on Oct. 14 this year, the number 509 suddenly appeared only as a five on purchased tickets, even though large numbers of ticket holders were seeking to select it. In response, the office of the prime minister issued a directive on Aug. 17 requiring that drawing times be reduced and winnings handled in a more transparent manner.