The lottery is one of the world’s most popular forms of gambling, with participants pinning their hopes on a sequence of numbers. It’s a source of revenue for organizers, a form of entertainment for players, and a potential economic stimulus. The winnings can inject windfall capital back into local economies, shifting consumer patterns. But the significance of a winning lottery ticket extends far beyond these financial gains. It unites people in a shared dream, and stokes the human spirit with the promise of life-altering wealth.
There are many ways to play the lottery: Some choose their lucky numbers from a list while others visit ghostly shrines, or use omens found in everyday events, or messages from the cosmos disguised as seemingly ordinary news stories. Some even make it their profession, as is the case of Zjelko Ranogajec, who started out as a blackjack counter in Tasmania and now bets on anything with thin odds. His turnover is massive, but he makes less than 1% of his bets.
In Thailand, the official national lottery (Thai: slaakkinaebng or RTGS: salak kin baeng) is run by The Government Lottery Office (GLO). The drawings are held twice per month, on the first and 16th of each month. Tickets are available at GLO’s headquarters in Bangkok, as well as at national wholesalers known as brokers and from retail vendors who receive them from the GLO. Each ticket costs 80 baht.
Until October 2015, the multi-tiered distribution system for Thai lottery tickets allowed ticket consumers to buy directly from GLO, brokers and agents who sold them at a lower price, or retail vendors who bought them from the wholesalers. However, from November 2015, all lottery tickets will be sold by the GLO and their agents at the same price.
Winners can claim their prize money from the GLO or Provincial CGD offices, and only a small tax is deducted from the winnings. If they’ve won the top prize, they must also submit a letter stating their name, address, and bank account number, to confirm their identity. They’re not allowed to sell or transfer their winnings. GLO doesn’t disclose their personal information to the public, but some websites do. These online lottery agencies are unauthorized and unlicensed. The authorities are working to shut them down, but it’s difficult to stop them. Many have been in operation for several years and have grown into large businesses. The most successful ones operate as a franchise and offer a variety of services such as checking the results, selling lottery tickets, and buying and selling quick picks.