Paris lotteries became one of the main sources of funds for religious congregations during the late 19th century, who used this money to rebuild and refurbish churches. Unfortunately, this led to tensions between monarchy and church that necessitated legislation regulating such lotteries.
A woman who grew up in an orphanage and immigrated to the US will donate part of her lottery winnings to her host family as well as search for her birth family in Laos. Xia Rattanakone and her husband won a $55 million jackpot from a US lottery drawing on January 25; this prize enabled them to retire from their respective jobs – she as an assistant and him as temporary worker at Nintendo of America – respectively.
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia bounded by China to its north, Vietnam to its east and Cambodia to its south. Gambling is illegal here although some casinos operate within Special Economic Zones that have been granted lease by their government in order to increase foreign trade and tourism.
Some Laos have voiced concerns over the integrity of their national lottery, with players calling for changes that would help restore faith in it. Particularly after three consecutive winning numbers featured the number 67 at the end of September lottery drawings were associated with it — this being associated with turtles which are believed by Laos as being unlucky animals.
Vientiane residents following the lottery were critical of its weight. One Vientiane resident told RFA’s Lao Service that some balls appear heavier than others, which may produce unfair results for all participants. But Vilasack Phommaluck from the Finance Ministry serving on its lottery committee denied this allegation by confirming double checks of each lottery ball to ensure all are of uniform weight.
Other than state-run lotteries, private lotteries exist around the world – including Canada, Australia and Bulgaria. Of particular note are UK National Lottery draws winners from across the world while its Set for Life and EuroMillions lotteries also attract international winners.
Many of the businesses responsible for running lotteries are owned by members of the ruling elite and their families, such as relatives of former Prime Minister Thongsing Thaksin and President Khamtay Siphandone. Although they pay state fees to run these lotteries, their profit-taking is opaque – no third-party audit has taken place to assess them, fueling speculation that games might not be conducted honestly.