Govt takes Bt5.4bn hit as 3rd lottery draw cancelled

By THE NATION

 

Lottery stalls in Si Saket province (File Photo)

 

The April 1 lottery draw has been postponed for a second time, from May 2 to May 16, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced on Wednesday (April 15).

 

“The postponement aims to encourage social distancing according to the government’s policy to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” said GLO chairman Phachara Anantasilp.

 

“We decided to postpone it for a second time as the Covid-19 situation still persists and selling tickets on May 2 could result in public gatherings, [which goes] against government recommendations.”

 

The prize draw for April 1 has been rescheduled to take place at the Government Lottery Office in Nonthaburi on May 16 from 2.30pm to 4pm, while the selling of tickets for May 16’s draw will be cancelled.

 

The GLO’s precautions against the transmission of Covid-19 have now resulted in the cancellation of three lottery draws – April 16, May 2 and May 16. “The cancellations will cost the government Bt5.4 billion in revenue from lottery ticket sales, as each draw generate Bt1.8 billion on average,” said Phachara.

 

He added that the GLO is studying the possibility of selling tickets online.

 

“We need to thoroughly consider the impact of online selling for the public and existing sellers before making the decision,” he said, referring to the fact that many disabled and underprivileged people make their living from selling lottery tickets.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386044

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-15

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And where and whom exactly do these lottery funds go to?  Are they used for charities and other good causes like the majority of other National Lottery funds in  other countries, whose prizes are much, much larger or is it just bunged into the general exchequer to pay for submarines and tanks etc. If, indeed the profit made per draw is ฿1.8 billion, surely they could make the prize money a great deal more appealing, maybe a top prize of 10, or 25 million!  Additionally, if they put it on-line, they would not have to cancel it and still get their revenue!

 

^ it basically replaces tax, though in most cases the poor get hit harder with this, spending money on tickets over feeding their family

This might be the event that eventually persuades them to move the lottery into the 21st century.

 

The problem is they have to do it without upsetting the existing salespersons too much and of course the underground lottery organisers, many of whom are "influential people". Difficult one! Anywhere else it would be quite straightforward.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He added that the GLO is studying the possibility of selling tickets online.

 

As has been done in Europe for .... for almost 40 years ...
Better late than never !

it won't do the trick for the tens of thousands of ticket sellers who will have to find other jobs.
The Thai military really has the art of not being loved.

I think they could easily switch it to online without much hassle at all

 

It would mean less $$$ for the guys at the top though

3 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

And where and whom exactly do these lottery funds go to?  Are they used for charities and other good causes like the majority of other National Lottery funds in  other countries, whose prizes are much, much larger or is it just bunged into the general exchequer to pay for submarines and tanks etc. If, indeed the profit made per draw is ฿1.8 billion, surely they could make the prize money a great deal more appealing, maybe a top prize of 10, or 25 million!  Additionally, if they put it on-line, they would not have to cancel it and still get their revenue!

 

We have a hospital ambulance in our area, with a sticker on saying Provided from state lottery funds,and I would say they are other schemes that the lottery help out with.

In the UK they have been some mad cap schemes for using lottery money, a lot Thailand would not have.  

2 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

it won't do the trick for the tens of thousands of ticket sellers who will have to find other jobs.

That would be great! I hate it when they come in a restaurant while we are eating to annoy us with tickets....also when they sit on the chairs outside which are for guests or customers.

Online sales will fundamentally change the nature of the Thai lottery. I'm not sure the population will go for it. Part of what makes the Thai lottery is hunting around for the exact ticket number you want. If you can simply go online and buy any number, as you do in other countries, then it will remove much of the culture surrounding it.

 

My wife is crazy and still plays the lottery every draw despite my explaining to her how foolish that is. She just tells me it gives her hope, and I suppose it is a better vice than heavy drinking. But she would not support online sales. She feels it is divine providence when she comes across a lucky ticket. And when that lucky ticket loses, she just ignores it and continues on with her questionable beliefs.

 

The Thai people do not want the lottery changed.

 

 

15 minutes ago, Monomial said:

Online sales will fundamentally change the nature of the Thai lottery. I'm not sure the population will go for it. Part of what makes the Thai lottery is hunting around for the exact ticket number you want. If you can simply go online and buy any number, as you do in other countries, then it will remove much of the culture surrounding it.

 

My wife is crazy and still plays the lottery every draw despite my explaining to her how foolish that is. She just tells me it gives her hope, and I suppose it is a better vice than heavy drinking. But she would not support online sales. She feels it is divine providence when she comes across a lucky ticket. And when that lucky ticket loses, she just ignores it and continues on with her questionable beliefs.

 

The Thai people do not want the lottery changed.

 

 

 

If you can simply go online and buy any number, as you do in other countries, then it will remove much of the culture surrounding it.

 

in the uk you can buy online or at a shop and have whatever number/numbers you want, easy and efficient, you dont have to go wandering around trying to find a certain number which seems like an awful waste of time, but if you've got time to waste no problem.

2 hours ago, fruitman said:

That would be great! I hate it when they come in a restaurant while we are eating to annoy us with tickets....also when they sit on the chairs outside which are for guests or customers.

When we have lived here for a long time like me, it does not bother me at all that they come so I can buy  a ticket;
sometimes even I have to call them because when they see a farang they dare not come; they do not imagine that one can want to play like the thai people

20 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said:

When we have lived here for a long time like me, it does not bother me at all that they come so I can buy  a ticket;
sometimes even I have to call them because when they see a farang they dare not come; they do not imagine that one can want to play like the thai people

I see, so you also buy roses from those vendors who come inside and you feed the soidogs when they come into the restaurant, you throw loads of food on the floor like the locals do in Sizzlers, bring screaming children in the restaurant, always ask for a doggybag, everything like a local right?

33 minutes ago, fruitman said:

I see, so you also buy roses from those vendors who come inside and you feed the soidogs when they come into the restaurant, you throw loads of food on the floor like the locals do in Sizzlers, bring screaming children in the restaurant, always ask for a doggybag, everything like a local right?

You complain a lot.

 

The “Len Huay” illegal lottery more popular. 

 

I think not many foreigner know it. If you see same photo (below) that is it. 

Maybe you see before? 

 

 

20 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

And where and whom exactly do these lottery funds go to?  Are they used for charities and other good causes like the majority of other National Lottery funds in  other countries, whose prizes are much, much larger or is it just bunged into the general exchequer to pay for submarines and tanks etc. If, indeed the profit made per draw is ฿1.8 billion, surely they could make the prize money a great deal more appealing, maybe a top prize of 10, or 25 million!  Additionally, if they put it on-line, they would not have to cancel it and still get their revenue!

 

Yep common sense and joined up thinking.

18 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

I think they could easily switch it to online without much hassle at all

 

It would mean less $$$ for the guys at the top though

But instant revenue for the country and hope  for the minions

14 hours ago, Monomial said:

Online sales will fundamentally change the nature of the Thai lottery. I'm not sure the population will go for it. Part of what makes the Thai lottery is hunting around for the exact ticket number you want. If you can simply go online and buy any number, as you do in other countries, then it will remove much of the culture surrounding it.

 

My wife is crazy and still plays the lottery every draw despite my explaining to her how foolish that is. She just tells me it gives her hope, and I suppose it is a better vice than heavy drinking. But she would not support online sales. She feels it is divine providence when she comes across a lucky ticket. And when that lucky ticket loses, she just ignores it and continues on with her questionable beliefs.

 

The Thai people do not want the lottery changed.

 

 

The thai people want many things like government handouts in times of need better pensions, but nobody wants to pay  direct  earnings tax, give people in need the money but thai thinking and the fact they don't like changes to there cultural belief will leave generations to come in the slow lane

Ticket sales still in Chiang Rai.

@Yinn   Do you know where the profits from the legal Thai Lottery goes to ?  all to the government or does any go directly to charities ?

 

If they are worried about the disabled not having a job if the lottery went online why not just use some of the profits  and give them directly to the disabled.

 

Thaksin had  all the lottery machines  for online use ready and waiting..but for some reason shelved the idea  I wonder where all those machines went ?

 

 

10 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Ticket sales still in Chiang Rai.

Well don't buy any  because there is no official draw  they will be useless !!!

18 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

I think they could easily switch it to online without much hassle at all

 

It would mean less $$$ for the guys at the top though

I think you are under the impression that Thais can choose 6 number and put an X in a box. 

Umm... So what happens to the tickets already sold ? We have been buying some (don't usually) just to help out. 

 

They truly are clueless...

59 minutes ago, johng said:

Well don't buy any  because there is no official draw  they will be useless !!!

I only buy tickets in Australia, where there's real money.

The amount these tickets generate to the amount paid out in prizes is criminal. The odds on the Thai lottery are some of the worst of any in the world. Some people are getting very rich and I doubt the charities get anything really of note .

4 hours ago, johng said:

@Yinn   Do you know where the profits from the legal Thai Lottery goes to ?  all to the government or does any go directly to charities ?

 

No, many small seller, some big seller, keep the profit themself.
Every factory, village etc have the seller. 

 

The Huay lottery is good business if you clever. 
Use the same numbers the government lottery. 

 

1. can play the last two numbers. (100 way “00-99) If bet 100 baht win, the seller pay you 8,300.
If the seller smart she spread the buyer number with other sellers and average 1,700 profit per 10,000 sold for two numbers. 
=17,000 per 100,000

 

2. Last three numbers (1000 way “000-999) If bet 100 baht win, the seller pay you 50,000.
If the seller smart she spread the buyer number, she sell 100,000, she keep 50,000.

 

3. Last three numbers any order. 
If bet 100 baht, seller pay you 9,000.
eg. If the number is 937, if you have 937, 973, 739, 793, 379 or 397 you win.

Work about 4 day per month (two lottery day per month, that day and day before). Have regular customer, play same number everytime. And other customer.
MUST spread the numbers. Problem with stupid seller if to many bet the same number, she not spread, then can not pay everyone. Happen a lot. Run away. Make problem.

If people trust you pay everytime you will be very popular!

 

Selling lottery very good business IF you spread.

 

Playing lottery is stupid. But lot stupid people!! They love it.

Usually pay 3000 per month, “protection” to local p.....

 

 

*****EDIT *****

OHH, I IDIOT. READ YOUR QUESTION “ILEGAL”

BUT YOU ASK “LEGAL”

 

LEGAL

20% to government
60% pay winners
7% go for charity, poor people, blind, handcap etc
3% seller (If sell for 80 baht, but most sell for more= more for the seller)
10% Go to lottery department

 

Above can change sometimes.

 

5 hours ago, AtlasAus said:

Umm... So what happens to the tickets already sold ? We have been buying some (don't usually) just to help out. 

 

They truly are clueless...

Tickets sold for the cancelled April 1 drawing will be used for the May 16 drawing.