The cat might not be a popular number in the West but the feline symbol appears to have at least four lives in Laos where it’s a lucky number for thousands of people who play the national lottery. The numbers based on Felis catus, the country’s iconic animal, have come up in the winning numbers for the thrice-weekly lottery drawing in recent months and have raised doubts about the honesty of the game.

The chairman of the state organization that runs the lottery, Vilasack Phommaluck, told RFA that he is aware of the problems and is working to restore confidence in the game. He said that changes may include reducing the number of drawing times to one a week and showing them live on television and Facebook.

Despite the apparent shenanigans, the lottery remains a big deal for many Lao people. They spend a lot of money and take a risk on the hopes that they will get a good number. Some people even dream about the numbers they hope to win.

When the results are announced, winners must present their ticket at the retailer where they bought it. Tickets are void if stolen, unissued, illegible, tampered with or altered in any way. A prize claim must be made within six months/one year from the date of the drawing.

To purchase a lottery ticket, go to a grocery store or convenience store that sells the game. Most retailers have a machine that they can run your ticket through to see if you’re a winner. They’ll usually charge a small fee for this service.

Some of the companies involved in running the lottery have close ties to Lao business interests and some members of the ruling elite. A source speaking on condition of anonymity told RFA’s Lao Service that some of the biggest names in the industry are relatives of former Prime Minister Thongsing and other senior politicians. Others have complained about the rigging of the drawings. Specifically, they point to the vanishing of some numbers that have appeared on purchased tickets in previous drawings.