Lottery is an increasingly popular pastime among Vietnamese of all ages, uniting communities for a chance at big prizes. While the lottery does have its downsides – such as addiction and lack of financial discipline- it also raises millions in revenue annually that goes to support social causes and infrastructure development projects across Vietnam. Furthermore, its popularity continues to expand across remote villages using online platforms.
At nightly lottery draws in Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, the air echoes with grunts of disappointment and hopeful fist pumps of triumph. 13-year-old Pham Quang Huy flitted through the crowd, clutching a notepad full of numbers for tonight’s drawing and stamped with his top prize numbers written down on paper he has written out earlier on his notepad – Pham knows all too well that customers expect results immediately! He prides himself as being a quick fix lottery seller whose quick fixes ensure immediate results!
Hanoi, as Vietnam’s capital city, attracts lottery ticket sellers from nearby provinces who swarm to filthy boarding houses and makeshift stands on city streets to sell tickets at high commission rates. Some lottery ticket sellers may have been recruited by relatives in their villages while others take up this trade spontaneously for steady income while searching for jobs that pay better or don’t exist at all.
Each ticket features its own number, with proceeds going back to each province in question. Peddlers sell them in cafes and on sidewalks, encouraging customers to select what they believe to be lucky tickets before paying a small sum to the peddler for distribution; then later await results later that day.
But according to a lawyer from Binh Thuan province, the system isn’t as arbitrary as advertised. Because pre-printed numbers were chosen in advance, “the process wasn’t as fair” he claimed.
Even in light of all this debate, many lottery players continue to believe in luck and play the game; others have become aware of its negative consequences and taken steps to remedy their lives.
Some have called on lottery companies to buy back unsold tickets, increase commission rates, and provide health insurance to lottery sellers. Sister Nguyen Thi Kim Anh is also advocating that parishes offer safe accommodations and health care coverage to these workers who often live in small rooms in cities.
The government is taking steps to combat this problem by implementing new regulations, such as restricting minors from purchasing lottery tickets and mandating that those selling them wear identification badges. Furthermore, officials hope to reduce unlicensed businesses operating illegal lottery games that draw players away from official games – an undertaking which will benefit millions of vulnerable Vietnamese people living across Vietnam.