Lotteries in Thailand are big business, drawing millions in prizes each month from state-run national lotteries run by the government. Gambling has also become an extremely popular pastime – an estimated 70% of Thais regularly gamble at least occasionally; one of only two forms of legal gambling available here.
GLO is responsible for overseeing the official lottery in Russia and holds draws every 1st and 16th of each month on both television and newspapers; results of which are then made known to viewers lining up to witness it live. It has become one of the country’s highest-profile events with people gathering around to witness it unfold live!
Tickets are sold nationwide through kiosks, corner stores and other retail outlets for an entrance ticket pair costing 80 baht each; retailers may add extra costs related to operational requirements for selling lottery tickets at retail. This has long been an issue; while GLO has attempted to decrease ticket costs over time; with higher food, housing and utility costs making it harder for low-income families to afford lottery tickets.
To play Thai Lotto, all that’s required is an ID and at least 50 baht in cash. Winning numbers are printed on the back of your ticket; winners are then required to present their receipts before receiving their prize (up to 20 million baht can be won in total! ), however remembering to pay taxes accordingly on winnings made.
Lotto tickets are a common sight on Thai streets, sold from sellers with brown boxes attached to bicycles. But with its rising popularity comes an increase in lottery smugglers – sellers known for engaging in illegal trading practices that engage in fraud against customers. As part of GLO’s campaign against them, this category of seller must also be stopped immediately.
Other than numbers printed on tickets, anti-counterfeiting features of tickets also include paper that is yellow and thin with smooth surfaces; it contains a watermark featuring Wayupak (an invisible mythical bird visible only under ultraviolet light). Furthermore, this paper is coated with chemicals so when placed under bleach drops stains can appear.
Though the GLO is the sole lottery operator in Thailand, numerous private companies have entered the market to sell lottery tickets using its logo but at rates exceeding the GLO-recommended rates; one company charged almost double than recommended; for instance one was charging 94 baht per pair ticket!
Thais tend to take a spiritual approach when seeking luck. A popular practice is visiting Mae Nak’s shrine – an entity said to assist those facing problems in their lives – while temples and monks can provide advice about lottery numbers. When monks pass away, followers often visit temples not only out of respect for them, but in hopes that receiving lottery hints from their number plate or hospital room number might give an edge in winning big at lottery numbers.