The Thai Lottery is one of only two forms of legal gambling in Thailand and is hugely popular across the country. It is administered by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) and takes place on the first and 16th of every month. It has a low payout ratio but still attracts millions of players. It is also a major source of revenue for the government.
In a small stall in the basement of a Bangkok department store, Bom, a retired salesman, is busy selecting his lottery numbers for the next draw. With a conspiratorial wink, he consults a chart and then pencils down a set of numbers. He then crosses them out in a precise pattern, revealing a second list of numbers derived from the first. It’s a method that has been refined over time and seems to reflect the deep religious, economic and social connections that form part of Thailand’s lottery culture.
But this is just one of many ways Thais choose their numbers. Others take a more practical approach and draw on their dreams or messages from the cosmos disguised in seemingly ordinary events. The capacity to calculate short odds for numbers marked by life’s oddities knows no bounds, and is a part of what makes the lottery so compelling.
Even if the odds of winning are low, lottery players believe that if they keep playing they will eventually hit it big. A large percentage of Thailand’s population regularly buys tickets, but most people don’t end up winning the jackpot. This is partly because of the rules, which only allow a winner to claim a prize if they have all six of their numbers correct.
Another factor is that the number game has a religious component, as many people visit temples to make merit and glean lottery numbers from monks. This practice is not about contradicting Buddhist doctrine, but instead building upon it to create a new network of spirits and patrons.
In recent decades, however, the lottery has become more than just a game. It has served as a tool of political control, with military dictators using the proceeds to line their pockets. It has also been used as a way to reward farmers, who provide much of the rice that goes into the national food supply.
The GLO’s move to sell digital tickets online was a step toward modernising the lottery. The Paotang app went live on Thursday morning, selling tickets for 80 baht each. Traders will still be able to sell paper tickets, but the digital service means that anyone can purchase lottery tickets in their home country.
It’s a sign that the lottery is a business that must remain modern. If the current system isn’t overhauled, the GLO will struggle to compete with international operators. That’s why the GLO is attempting to introduce changes that will benefit both the lottery industry and the people it serves. It’s a challenge that will not be easy to achieve, but one that the country’s lottery must take on.