Lao lottery officials are rigging the system by manipulating winning numbers, sources tell RFA’s Lao Service. They are also using the national lottery as a money-making tool for private business interests linked to members of the ruling elite. The number 509, for example, disappeared from all purchased tickets for a drawing on Oct. 14 this year. The number reappeared on tickets 10 minutes before the drawing. “The government should resume control of the national lottery, as private business interests have no right to manage it,” a caller told RFA. “It’s not fair.” Reported by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Editing by Richard Finney.