Despite the government’s ban on all forms of gambling, 70% of Thais still play the lottery on a regular basis. While Thai Lotto and Horse Racing in Bangkok are the only forms of gambling that are legal, there is also an underground lottery with a large network of dealers.
In early Siamese lotteries, the games were based on Chinese-style games. Eventually, King Chulalongkorn granted permission for a European-style lottery.
หวยเงินล้าน is now organized by the Government lottery office. Tickets are sold by retailers and agents. They are printed on special paper featuring a two-tone watermark of Wayupak. It’s also coated with special chemicals that prevent stains.
Ticket prices vary. They’re usually sold for 100 baht or more, depending on demand. However, หวยรวยเงินล้าน should never pay more than 120 baht. Never buy from an unfamiliar storekeeper. It’s also a good idea to avoid buying tickets from a vendor who does not look Thai.
The Thai lottery has a legislative framework that determines the payouts of prizes. A prize can be claimed within two years from the date of the draw. The winning ticket must be presented to a GLO office. If the prize is over 20,000 baht, the winner must go to the GLO office in Nonthaburi.
The Thai lottery has 100 prizes. The first prize is a B50,000 prize, the second is a B50,000 prize, and the third is a B40,000 prize. The fourth prize is a B10,000 prize.