Lotteries are a form of gambling in which individuals select numbers in hopes of winning a prize, popular among both Laos and Thailand residents, but with some concerns raised over its legitimacy. One woman working as salesman at state-run lottery organizations has been accused of altering numbers during drawings; another concern suggests the number balls may have been weighted differently to favor certain numbers in these draws.
Even so, lottery remains popular with residents of Laos despite concerns for its safety; according to a recent survey conducted in Laos, 90 percent of residents played lottery in the past year – more people spent on gambling than on food or clothing!
State-run Lotteries draw every Wednesday and are broadcast live both locally on television and Facebook. According to its organizers, these lotteries are transparent and provide revenue for the nation. A woman selling tickets at Lottery Headquarters in Vientiane has been accused of using her knowledge of numbers to manipulate its outcome; RFA reports she told RFA that company executives know which numbers will be selected which gives them an edge when selecting numbers themselves; weight variations also give an advantage; eventually the heaviest balls may fall faster into holes than others
Alleged manipulation of the lottery has caused great alarm among residents. According to RFA, one member of the committee that oversees it said changes will be implemented to address resident concerns regarding manipulation. He mentioned double checking lottery balls as well as potentially cutting back the frequency of drawings to once every week; as well as promising stiffer penalties against anyone found violating rules.
Early this year, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the lottery when three consecutive winners included the number 67 – commonly associated with turtles who are thought to be bad luck – while this year. However, officials from the Finance Ministry denied allegations of corruption while working towards improving transparency within their lottery operation.
Laos has an intricate gambling legal framework. While gambling is technically illegal in Laos, certain Special Economic Zones permit it. This has allowed some offshore casinos to accept players from Laos without fear of prosecution; however, the government has taken no measures to regulate online betting sites.
While the Lottery has produced substantial revenues for the country, making a profit has become more challenging in light of an economy battered by slow tourism growth and global economic turmoil. As a result, government budgets have been struggling to be met. While in the short term the Lottery may continue generating significant revenues for government budgets, maintaining long-term profitability may prove more challenging; to remain viable it must increase sales while raising product awareness amongst potential customers.