Lottery officials in the communist nation of Laos are rigging the system by manipulating winning numbers, sources there say. Drawings often show numbers that vanish from purchased tickets, or they are deemed unlucky and are unlikely to be chosen, the sources tell RFA’s Lao Service. For example, the number 509 appeared only as a five on tickets sold throughout Oct. 14 this year, even though it was supposed to be the winner of that day’s lottery draw, a resident of Laos’ capital Vientiane told RFA’s correspondents.

RFA’s source says private business interests are taking over the national lottery, and that their companies include members of the country’s ruling elite. The source says the companies pay a fee to the government for the lottery’s concession, but no one ever inspects their work or sees the amount of money they make.

In response to the allegations, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith sent a directive on Aug. 17 asking the ministry to take steps to ensure that the state lottery is more transparent. Among other things, the directive orders the ministry to reduce the number of drawings each week and close down informal football lotteries and lottery chances purchased through short messaging services.