The lottery is a popular form of gambling in many countries. In the United States, the state lotteries are operated by state governments and localities. State laws vary greatly, but most allow players to choose their numbers and pay an entrance fee. A winning ticket must match all the selected numbers and symbols in order to win the prize. Lottery games are also available online. These games are often called instant lottery games, and they use the same technology as the traditional lottery games. These games are regulated and monitored by government authorities.
The Internet has changed the way people play lottery games. In the past, people had to visit a physical lottery office or go to a brick-and-mortar casino to play a game. Now, lottery games are played online and on mobile devices. Many players prefer the convenience of playing their favorite lottery games on the go. In addition, online gaming has become more secure and safe. Some of the most popular instant lottery games include scratch-off tickets, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and keno.
Laos has a state-run lottery that sells tickets for national, provincial, and territorial prizes. The winners of these prizes are awarded cash, goods, or services. Some of the prizes are designated for special groups, such as students or disabled persons. In addition, the lottery is used to promote tourism and help fund projects that benefit the population.
Two customers will share a jackpot worth over US$12 million after Thursday’s Vietlott draw. The company said that the winning tickets were sold in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Lao immigrant who has been battling cancer for eight years will split more than $1.3 billion after winning the Powerball lottery. At a news conference Monday, 46-year-old Cheng Saephan wore a broad smile and a blue sash emblazoned with the words “Iu Mien USA.” He said he and his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen, would take half of the money. The rest will go to a friend, Laiza Chao, who chipped in $100 to buy the tickets with them.
A source in Laos tells RFA’s Lao Service that private business interests control the lottery and manipulate the results. The source said the companies that run the lottery have ties to the nation’s ruling elite. The companies also pay the government a large annual fee to operate the lottery. Neither the public nor state officials know how much the businesses pay the government for the privilege. The source added that the lottery should be 100 percent managed by the state, not private businesses. The information was based on a phone call and an email from the Lao government to RFA’s Lao Service.