Lottery games have long been a popular way to raise funds for various public good causes. Some governments regulate the lottery industry and prohibit commercial gambling, while others encourage it as a way to boost tax revenue. In addition, the Internet has made it possible for people to play lotto-style games online, often at a fraction of the cost of a traditional ticket. The GTech Corporation, a company based in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, administers 70% of the world’s online lotteries, according to its website.
In Laos, the state lottery enterprise sells tickets four times a week and also offers an instant lottery that requires buyers to scratch the ticket to reveal their numbers. Officials say revenue generated by the lottery enterprise has dropped threefold in recent years as people have been buying foreign countries’ lotteries, which are sold illegally in Laos. A state lawmaker says the number of private businesses selling foreign lotteries has increased. He says that has eroded the state’s income from lottery sales and has hurt the local economy.
A lottery is a form of public-private partnership that awards prizes based on randomly drawn numbers. Lottery rules specify the total prize money and how it is distributed. For example, a single winner can receive a lump sum payment or may be required to take the cash value in installments over 30 years. The government can also limit the number of winners or restrict the types of prizes that can be awarded.
The New Zealand Lottery is controlled by the Government through an autonomous Crown entity, Lotto New Zealand (formerly the Lottery Grants Board). All profits are transferred to charities and community organizations. Unlike the Powerball game in the United States, lottery winnings are not taxed in New Zealand.
A source in Laos who works for the lottery’s private business interests told RFA that the companies responsible for the national lottery include members of the country’s ruling elite. He said the businesses pay the state for the annual cost of the lottery concession but don’t reveal how much they earn from lottery sales or where the profits go.
The winner of Oregon’s Powerball lottery can choose to keep her identity secret, but the prize has to be claimed in person at the state lottery office. The winner must meet a minimum age requirement and sign a written statement that she is aware of the potential impact of her choice. The Powerball drawing is held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The top prize can reach up to $1.3 billion dollars, though the final amount will be reduced by federal and state taxes. Mario Ritter Jr. and Claire Rush contributed to this report for VOA Learning English. Editing by Richard Finney.