Lotteries are organized games of chance that give away prizes to a random group of people, including cash or goods. They are popular in many countries, and have become an important source of revenue for governments. They also support charitable projects and organizations domestically and internationally. In addition, they provide an alternative to sports gambling. Some lotteries are government-controlled, while others are private.
The first modern lottery was conducted in France in the 16th century. However, it was banned in the 17th century because of its association with gambling. In the 18th century, it became legal again in some countries and started to be regulated by law. It was then that the concept of fixed prize pools for different combinations of numbers began to take hold. Today, the largest lottery in the world is EuroMillions, which has a top prize of EUR2.4 billion. The second largest is Spain’s El Gordo, which has a top prize of EUR1 billion.
In Laos, the government operates a national lottery. Its website offers various games and prizes, and the number of winners varies from month to month. Some of the prizes include cars, motorcycles, electronic equipment, and even houses. Winners are selected through a draw, and each ticket costs 3,000 kip. The website is available in English and French, and there are also mobile apps. The Lao state lottery also offers a free game called Hwy Xang. Its top prize is a car, and the number of winners is limited to one per household.
The International Lottery Foundation (ILLF) pioneered Internet gaming and processed the first online lottery transaction ever in 1995. It also introduced the first instant scratchcard games on the Web. ILLF has many websites, collectively known as the ILLF brands, that feature an array of games. The ILLF’s mission is to promote and facilitate online gambling while supporting charitable projects, both domestically and abroad.
Until 1967, buying a lottery ticket was illegal in Canada. That year, the federal Liberal government introduced a special law (an Omnibus Bill) to bring up-to-date a number of obsolete laws. Among them was an amendment that allowed a provincial government to operate a lottery system.
The Portland area has a large Iu Mien community, and its members own many restaurants, businesses, social organizations, and schools. They also participate in the Oregon Lottery, which has a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot prize. The winner in that case, Cheng Saephan, a Lao immigrant who lives in Portland, has opted to split his prize with a friend. He will receive a payment over 30 years, or an amount that is lower when taxes are taken out. He will keep his name confidential. This story was adapted for VOA Learning English from a news report by Claire Rush and Gene Johnson, with additional reporting by Mario Ritter Jr.