Hanoi Lotto is an immensely popular gambling game in Vietnam that generates millions in annual revenues to support social causes and infrastructure development across the country. Furthermore, this industry offers employment to many who work within it – as well as job opportunities. Unfortunately though, this game also comes with some drawbacks so players should be wary.
Vietnamese culture places great significance on lotteries, with draws broadcast nationally. Played by both young and old players alike, playing the lottery brings people together while providing an excellent means of making money and supporting your family financially – though always remember to gamble responsibly.
Vietnamese gamblers spend an enormous fortune playing “So De,” a legal yet not-so-underground racket known as Pick-A-Number. Prizes can reach 70 times their bet, and winners are paid either in cash or products like cars and mobile phones.
Lottery ticket peddlers are a common sight across Vietnamese cities and towns. They stand outside cafes or on the street selling stacks of tickets in hopes that someone might purchase some from them; with any luck they might earn some VND (about US$5) daily to support their families back home in their provinces.
At first glance, finding customers can be difficult in Hanoi’s bustling streets where most are heading directly home after work. Huong is one such seller; she can make up to 230 000 VND (about US$10) per day which provides enough for her and her child.
Most lottery ticket sellers are female; some even leave school to take on this lucrative career. Their earnings from selling tickets allow them to send funds home for family support as well as save up for shoes or clothes purchases; yet despite making good amounts of money this can still be tiring work with strong competition among their fellow ticket sellers.
Vietnam Computerized Lottery One Member Limited Liability Company plans to introduce the Mega 6/45 Lottery with a minimum jackpot of VND12 billion ($545,000), to Hanoi on December 5 in an effort to curb lottery fever and stem ticket costs of between VND12,000-15,000 (0.53-0.66) per ticket.
But for most people, lottery has become an essential component of life. Dating back centuries and providing millions with an income source, lottery has allowed some to lead better lives while others have experienced hard times. Now the government wants to increase legal lottery agents while creating rules designed to protect players.