Lotteries are popular with many people, especially those who want to try their luck for big prizes. These games are also regulated by state laws, so players can feel secure that their winnings will be paid in accordance with law. Many of these games are available on the Internet, allowing players to participate from anywhere in the world. However, players should understand that lottery games are not guaranteed to win.
In Canada, the national lotteries are run by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, which is a consortium of five regional lottery commissions owned by their provincial and territorial governments: Atlantic Lottery Corporation (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador), Loto-Quebec (Quebec), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Ontario), and Western Canada Lottery Corporation (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut). They jointly operate four nationwide games: Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, Daily Grand, and Millionaire Life.
These national games are subsidized by the government to promote the nation’s economy and encourage responsible gambling. In addition, they provide the country with an alternate source of revenue besides taxation and foreign investment. Moreover, the national lottery also raises funds for local infrastructure projects and for health-related services.
Nevertheless, private business interests with close connections to the ruling elite have been rigging the national lottery to avoid large pay-outs. For instance, on Oct. 14, the number 509, which is associated in Laos with buffaloes, a symbol of good fortune, disappeared from purchased tickets on that day’s drawing. It appeared again only 10 minutes before the drawing was conducted, a source told RFA’s Lao Service.
The prime minister’s office has sent a directive to the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the legal state lottery, requiring drawing from the game to be reduced from two to one per week and that the winners be handled in a more transparent manner. In addition, informal football lotteries and lottery chances bought via short messaging services are to be closed down. Lao deputy finance minister Sila Viengkeo, speaking to RFA’s Lao Service, vowed that the directive will be strictly enforced. But he said accusations that the lottery system lacks transparency are unfounded. Reported and translated for RFA’s Lao Service by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Editing by Lillian Andemicael.