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Lotteries are a major source of income in Laos, and although the country’s national lottery is not as well known as those in other countries, it holds a strong place in the gambling psyche of its population. In this talk Dr Charles Zuckerman traces the political, economic and moral history of lotteries in the country since 1975, when they were first introduced. He also explains the mechanics of the state-run lottery, and discusses how its operation is rationalized by the government as an economic activity that is coherent with socialist goals.

Many people in Laos dream of the numbers that appear in the national lottery, and their lucky numbers are often asked for when talking to friends or family members. The lottery is even aired live on television and Facebook, drawing thousands of viewers each week. However, questions about the integrity of the lottery have emerged. The state organization that runs it has been accused of rigging the system and manipulating winning numbers to avoid large pay-outs. Insee Trading Company, which operates the lottery, reportedly knows what numbers are chosen, and a Lao source told RFA’s Lao Service that it manipulates results in order to increase its profits.

The government has not taken a firm stance on the issue, but Vilasack Phommaluck, a finance ministry official serving on the committee that oversees the lottery, said it may reduce the number of drawings to one per week in an attempt to restore public confidence in the game. He added that private business interests should not be responsible for the national lottery, which should be 100 percent managed by the government.