Hanoi Lotto is a widely popular form of gambling in Vietnam, where players guess a series of numbers, matching all to win the jackpot prize. Lottery tickets can be bought from cafes and shops throughout Vietnam; unfortunately some become addicted to the game and spend all their money. The government has taken steps to regulate this form of gambling so as to prevent this from occurring.
Even during Vietnam’s economic slump, lotto sales remain strong. Vietlott, the leading lottery company, recorded a profit of VND3.8 trillion ($168 million). Revenue increased due to growing popularity among Vietnamese who enjoy trying their luck at lotto games; other traditional lotteries saw profits decrease due to lockdown restrictions and rising operating expenses.
Vietnam lacks social welfare systems capable of managing its growing number of less fortunate citizens, so lottery selling has become an attractive source of money-making opportunity for the less affluent. People prefer selling tickets over beggaring; on good days ticket sellers can make as much as 230 000 dong (10 USD). That could provide enough food and shelter to keep families off of streets.
Nha Vy is among a cohort of Vietnamese LGBT performers who have found strength and support through lotto shows, an ancient French colonial-era tradition. Although she faced stigma and discrimination initially, she has managed to overcome it and build up a loyal fanbase in Vinh, her hometown.
Lotto can provide both entertainment and raise funds for charitable activities. Unfortunately, not every lotto fundraiser succeeds as intended – sometimes money raised is used for corrupt activities – making lottery organizers accountable to players about how money raised is spent while educating people how to play responsibly.
Trinh suggested lottery companies should return unsold tickets, increase commission rates and provide health insurance to ticket vendors who live in cramped spaces. She urged parishes to offer safe housing and healthcare to employees who live in unstable circumstances or travel long distances for work.
The lottery business in Vietnam represents an unprecedented experiment, and those affected deserve to understand their role in it. Psychologists and social scientists provide debriefing sessions after field experiments for participants in order to explain motivations behind tasks they were asked to complete; similar debriefing sessions should also take place within this lottery business to help Vietnamese individuals understand how their contributions are contributing to society’s problems as well as provide them with an opportunity to change their ways.