Lotteries have a long history in the world and are an integral part of most societies. They are a popular way to raise money for good causes and help people get ahead in life. They are also a source of entertainment for many people. In order to participate in a lottery, a person must be at least 18 years old. There are a few different types of lotteries, including state-run ones and private ones run by charities and companies.
The first lottery was held in France by King Francis I around 1505. In the 17th century, lottery games were forbidden for two centuries but became legal again in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Various types of lotteries emerged, including public ones for the city of Paris and private ones for religious orders.
In addition to promoting charitable projects, lottery proceeds provide a means for government agencies to raise funds for infrastructure improvements and other public needs. In the United States, state governments regulate lottery games and award jackpots. Some states also prohibit the use of lottery proceeds for certain purposes, such as education and welfare.
New Zealand has a national lottery, Lotto, operated by an autonomous Crown entity, Lottery New Zealand. The lottery is an important source of revenue for the New Zealand Government. Proceeds from the lottery are distributed to sport and recreation, community groups and the arts through the Lottery Grants Board. Lottery New Zealand also runs the games Instant Kiwi and Keno.
Canada has four nationwide lotteries: Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max (replaced the Lotto Super 7 in September 2009), Daily Grand and Millionaire Life. The regional lotteries are owned by their provincial/territorial governments: Atlantic Lottery Corporation (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador), Loto-Quebec (Quebec), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Ontario) and Western Canada Lottery Corporation (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon).
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Laotian immigrant who has been battling cancer for eight years won a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot prize in Oregon this month. Cheng Saephan, 46, will split the prize with a friend. The win made him the fourth-largest Powerball winner in history. He appeared at a news conference wearing a sash identifying him as Iu Mien, a southeast Asian ethnic group with roots in southern China. Tens of thousands of Iu Mien families fled to Thailand and then the United States after the Vietnam War. They settled mainly in the Portland area.
The winning numbers for the lottery drawing on Oct. 14 were 509 and the bonus number was 2. But the number 134 was displayed on tickets sold throughout the day of the drawing, and access to the number was cut off only 10 minutes before the drawing was scheduled, sources told RFA’s Hanoi Bureau.