Lotteries are government-sponsored gambling games where numbers are drawn at random to determine a winner. Prizes are often monetary but may also be goods or services. Some countries have legalized lotteries while others have banned them altogether. The first recorded lottery was created by the French monarchy in or around 1505; it was a form of taxation used to raise money for public works and religious purposes. Today, there are four national lottery games in Canada: Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, Daily Grand and Millionaire Life. Each province and territory has its own regional lottery commission.
The state of New Zealand operates its own lottery system, Lotto New Zealand, through an autonomous Crown entity. The proceeds of the lottery are distributed through the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board to various charities and community organizations. Lotto New Zealand offers the following games: Lotto, Powerball, Keno and Instant Kiwi.
While a number of lottery-style games are available online, many of these games require players to pay a premium over the base lottery price to participate. GTech Corporation, based in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, administers 70% of worldwide lottery-style online and instant games, according to the company’s website. While the company is not a registered gaming operator, it has been successful in developing innovative technology for its online offerings.
Despite its illegality, gambling in Laos remains widespread. The country does not monitor or block access to international bookmakers, and Laotians have no problem placing bets on reputable websites. The authorities do not seem to worry about betting on international sportsbooks, though, as they only seem interested in regulating land-based casinos and not online betting sites.
During the Vietnam War, members of the ethnic Iu Mien tribe aided American forces in their fight against Vietnamese communists. In the aftermath of the war, thousands of Iu Mien families fled to Thailand and then to the United States to escape retribution for their role in helping the Americans. In 1994, a member of the Iu Mien tribe named Cheng Saephan won a Powerball jackpot worth $1.3 billion. He used his winnings to start a business that now employs 3,000 people and has helped hundreds of other Iu Mien families. His story made international news. Saephan is one of the richest people in Asia, but he is not happy with his fortune. He said he plans to return to his hometown in southern Laos and build a university there. He also says he plans to donate some of his winnings to help those still in poverty in the region. He is also a vocal critic of the communist government. He has urged the government to hold a public inquiry into his win and has threatened legal action.