A 46-year-old immigrant from Laos who won a Powerball lottery jackpot in Oregon this month will share the nearly $1.3 billion prize with his wife and a friend. Cheng Saephan, a member of the Iu Mien people, said at a news conference that he and his wife, Duanpen, will take half the money and give the rest to a friend, Laiza Chao, who chipped in $100 to buy the tickets with them. The winning ticket was sold at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland.
Lotteries are popular in many countries, and have long been an important source of revenue for governments. In addition, they offer a good opportunity for individuals to win big sums of money in a short amount of time. In the US, for example, state and local lotteries generate billions of dollars a year. Many of these funds are used to support education systems. In addition, the profits from some lotteries are used to pay for public services such as fire fighting and police departments.
The Internet has revolutionized the way that people can play the lottery. Originally, the only way to participate in a lottery was to purchase a physical ticket. But with the advent of the Internet, it is now possible to play the lottery online from anywhere in the world. There are numerous websites that allow players to buy lottery tickets and even win large sums of cash. Some of these sites charge a fee to participate, while others are completely free. Some of these websites are run by government agencies, while others are privately owned.
Although online lottery games have become very popular, they are not legal in all jurisdictions. In order to play the lottery legally, you must be over the age of 18 and have a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card. In addition, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the country where you live. The odds of winning the lottery are much lower than in the past, so you should be sure to carefully consider your options before you purchase a ticket.
Despite this, many people still play the lottery and often have a favorite number. This can make a difference in whether or not you win. It is also a good idea to study the rules of the game before you begin playing.
Lottery tickets are purchased and sold by state or territorial government-licensed organizations. These operators include state-government-owned lotteries as well as private companies. Government-licensed lotteries include the Australian National Lottery and the New South Wales State Lottery, among others. Private lotteries have been popular in the United States since the early 19th century. In addition, the Internet has made it easier than ever to sell and buy lottery tickets.
Bounchom said illegal lotteries based in foreign countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China and Korea are widespread and must be addressed. He added that investment is needed to develop a system that can track those who sell tickets.