The minister said he had notified law enforcement agencies to step up monitoring online lotteries and warned that those selling illegal lottery tickets could face up to 10 years in prison. He also called for investment in a system to identify people involved in the practice. The minister was responding to a question by a member of parliament who expressed concern about the proliferation of illegal lotteries.
In Laos, gambling is illegal except in Special Economic Zones leased by the government to boost foreign trade. The country has three land-based casinos. In addition, a lottery is operated by the state-owned National Lottery Enterprise. However, the Minister of Justice, Bounchom Souksavanh, has told parliament that revenue from legal lottery sales has decreased threefold in recent months due to the sale of lottery products from other countries.
Online lottery games have become a major source of income for many online gamblers. They can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection and require no download or installation of software. They are popular among players from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. There are several online lottery websites to choose from. However, it is important to choose a reputable site that offers good customer service and has a large jackpot prize pool.
Cheng Saephan, the 46-year-old immigrant who won a Powerball jackpot worth $1.3 billion, celebrated his lucky break by holding a news conference in Portland wearing a blue sash with the words “Iu Mien USA.” The victory has brought attention to the Iu Mien, a southeast Asian ethnic group with roots in southern China, whose members fled Laos and Thailand for refuge in the U.S. after fighting alongside American forces in the Vietnam War.
The sash was a nod to his family, who are still in Laos, and the friend who shared his ticket with him. At the news conference, he also revealed that he will split the winnings with his wife, Duanpen, and her friend, Laiza Chao. Chao will receive a lump sum of $422 million after taxes, which will give her and her family a comfortable retirement.
Laos is known for its large number of Buddhists, who often rely on lucky numbers to win prizes. Previously, a lucky number was associated with the animal of choice for that year. A source at the National Lottery Enterprise in Vientiane told RFA that access to the lucky numbers was blocked for most of the day until it was restored just an hour before the drawing.
The result was that only a few of the more lucky numbers were sold. The jackpot was divided between two customers who bought the Jackpot 1 winning ticket and one who purchased the Jackpot 2 ticket. The other winning numbers were 74, 106, and 110.