A Laotian immigrant who won a lottery jackpot in Oregon will share millions of dollars with a friend. Cheng Saephan said he and his wife, Duanpen, will take half of the $422 million after taxes, while the other half is going to a friend who chipped in $100 to buy lottery tickets with them. The winner said the money will help him pay for his cancer treatment, which he’s been undergoing since 2016. Saephan is one of more than a dozen people who won the Powerball jackpot this month. The winners, who are in their 40s and 50s, will split the prize evenly and receive an initial lump sum payment of around $422 million after federal and state taxes are taken out. The winnings are the fourth-largest in US history.
The lottery is a popular game in many countries. It is played by individuals, businesses, or organizations to raise funds for a specific project. The money raised is often distributed to a wide range of recipients, including schools, hospitals, and charities. The lottery can also be used to promote a particular event or cause, such as a fundraiser for a disaster relief fund.
Lottery is a form of gambling, and some governments have banned it or restricted it in some way. However, the law is often enforced inconsistently, and some states allow it or regulate it differently from others. Some states even require a percentage of ticket sales to go toward charitable projects.
In the early 19th century, private lotteries were common in the United States. These were usually conducted by a group of friends or acquaintances, and they could be very lucrative. Some even offered prizes in the form of goods or services. These private lotteries were usually run in conjunction with public ones, and they often lasted for centuries.
Online lotteries are a growing industry. They offer a convenient and safe alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. These sites also provide a variety of games, including lottery games and sports betting. They can be played for real cash or for free. However, players should always remember to play responsibly.
Aside from the online version, the Maryland Lottery also has a mobile application. This can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play and allows users to check results, purchase tickets, and view the latest drawing videos. It’s important to note that the Maryland Lottery does not control the content or security of these apps.
In Canada, buying a lottery ticket was illegal until 1967, when the government introduced an Omnibus Bill that brought a number of obsolete laws into the modern age. Despite this, Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau tried to revive the tradition in 1968 by introducing a “voluntary tax” for a chance to win silver bars. While the minister of justice claimed that this was a lottery, Drapeau maintained that it did not violate Canadian law.