Lotteries are an enjoyable pastime amongst Lao people and often form the topic of conversation; many often asking each other, “Have you had any good dreams lately?” as many believe their dream will reveal this week’s winning lottery numbers.
State lottery organizers now share results live via Facebook and tv each Wednesday, drawing thousands of views from people around the country and making it more difficult to manipulate numbers; though that has not stopped some from trying; and as a result the ministry is considering cutting down to just one lottery game per week.
People have been purchasing foreign lotteries and selling them illegally in Laos despite its own legal lottery system, according to Vilasack. He noted that this activity had reduced revenue generated from state lottery enterprise. Furthermore, they are investigating reports from people not claiming their prize money and selling tickets instead.
Notably, Laos’ state lottery only permits ticket purchases at licensed outlets – there is no online gambling or mobile phone betting available there. Luckily, several international casinos do accept players from Laos and provide safe environments in which you can gamble online.
Not only is there the national lottery, but there are also multiple regional and local lotteries across Asia that run either state-run or privately run lotteries – which boast high jackpots with ease of ticket obtaining; many companies operating these lotteries have also been accused of falsified results.
Lotteries became an essential source of funding for religious congregations during the 18th century, especially in Paris where lotteries helped fund 15 churches such as Saint Sulpice and Le Pantheon through building or rebuilding contracts. As such, an ongoing power struggle ensued between monarchy and Church for control over this lucrative system of fundraising.
Laos’ state-owned lottery operator recently took steps to counter illegal sales of foreign-based lotteries, according to RFA’s Lao Service on Aug. 17. Sila Viengkeo, Laos’ Deputy Finance Minister and state lottery supervisor told RFA’s Lao Service on August 17 that their new directive will be strictly implemented, although he provided no specific date as for when this change would come into force. He denied allegations that state lotteries lack transparency.
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