Lotteries are popular in the United States. The legality of lottery games, however, is a gray area. Many state laws prohibit online gambling, while others allow it only within special economic zones or at a casino. In addition, many lottery games are marketed as “lottery-style” games that are not lotteries but still generate revenue through premiums on base lottery prices. GTech Corporation, a company based in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, administers 70% of worldwide Internet lottery business, according to its website.
The first lotteries were organized in France in the late 15th century, and were later banned for two centuries. They reappeared at the end of the 17th century, as public ones for the city of Paris and private ones for religious orders. They were also popular in rural areas.
In 1969, Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau, in a bid to recover money spent on the World’s Fair and subway system, introduced a “voluntary tax”. For a $2.00 donation, players were eligible to participate in a monthly draw with a prize of silver bars. The government of Quebec argued that this was not a lottery, but Drapeau insisted it did not contravene provincial law. There were debates in Ottawa and Montreal about the matter. The minister of justice alleged that it did not comply with federal law, but Drapeau responded that it did not contravene municipal or provincial laws and urged that the monthly draws continue. The lottery’s popularity grew, and players from Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia participated.
On good days Huong sells 250 tickets and makes a daily profit of about 11 US-Dollars, enough to survive. Her husband Manh accompanies her on their 16-hour shift.
Although the lottery is officially illegal in Laos, people play it anyway. Some use the money to buy food or medicines for their children. Others simply spend it for the fun of it. In some cases, the lottery is their only source of income.
Lao state officials have told RFA that the companies responsible for the national lottery also have stakes in other businesses and in the families of national leaders. They have said they will work to reduce the number of drawings and increase transparency in the lottery system. RFA’s Ounkeo Souksavanh and Bounchanh Mouangkham contributed to this report. RFA’s Lao service was supported by the National Endowment for Democracy.