In the nation of Laos, where the mighty Mekong River cuts its way through rugged mountains and verdant plains, the lottery is a fascinating cultural spectacle that celebrates luck and fortune. But despite its reputation as a form of gambling for the poor, the lottery has its critics. This presentation by linguistic anthropologist Dr Charles Zuckerman explores the history of the lottery in Laos since 1975, and the mechanics of its system. It will also consider what playing the lottery, choosing numbers and winning mean for people on the ground.
In addition to a national lottery, Laos has local and provincial lotteries that are operated by family members of the ruling elite. These provincial lotteries are not as popular as the national one, but they still draw a significant amount of money. Some of these profits are distributed to the local governments, while others go toward a public fund that supports the government’s social programs.
The official name for the national lottery is
You can also buy a ticket in person by visiting a local efficiency store. These stores usually sell the edimphanhwylaaw passes for about $1 each. Some of these stores may be closed on holidays, but you should be able to find them during the week. You can also use the edimphanhwylaaw website to sign up for an account and choose numbers.
To win the lottery, you must have a valid ID and a photocopy of your passport. You must also provide proof of address. Moreover, you must be at least 18 years old to participate. The lottery is a fun way to earn some cash, but it is not as easy as it looks. Many people believe that the lottery results are manipulated to avoid large payouts. Moreover, the balls are heavy, which is believed to be bad luck.
If you want to learn more about the culture of Laos, book a premium small-group trip with Culture Trip today! Our expert travel team will be happy to answer any questions you might have. If you’re not ready to commit to a full trip, check out our Laos travel guide for helpful tips and recommendations. And be sure to say “suh-bah-dee” (say-bah-di) when you meet Lao people—it’s the standard greeting and a polite attention-grabber in the impossibly tiny corridors of tuk-tuks or busses. Then, practice your pronunciation with our free video lessons. With few grammar rules and no requirement to put punctuation marks between words, the Lao language can be challenging for non-native speakers. But these go-to phrases will make you sound like a local.