GLO board decides to scrap jackpot prizes

The board of the Government Lottery Office (GLO) has agreed to scrap the jackpot prizes starting from August 1 draw and will resort to tax, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption laws to deal with major lottery traders who overcharge lottery prices, said Maj-Gen Apirat Kongsompong, chairman of the GLO board.

The new GLO board headed by Maj-Gen Apirat held its first meeting Tuesday and came up with a package of measures to ensure that the retail price of lottery tickets sold to consumers is fixed at 80 baht apiece across the country.

Besides the scrapping of the jackpot prizes and the application of the revenue code, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption laws to deal with profiteering major lottery traders, the board also agreed to set up ten task force teams which will be scattered throughout the country to make sure that lottery tickets are sold at the retail price of 80 baht apiece.

The teams are made up of officials from the Department of Special Investigation, the military, police and interior officials.

The board also decided to adjust the lottery price structure under which 60 percent of the revenue earned by the GLO are allocated for prize money; revenue sent by GLO to the state’s coffers slashed from 23 percent to 20 percent with the difference go to the GLO as management fees; 3 percent allocated to set up a fund for social activities; two percent as discount for foundation, associations and organizations; and 12 percent as discount for retailers or lottery vendors.

Under this new arrangement, retailers will receive lottery quota of five books each at a cost of 70.40 baht apiece whereas foundation, associations and organisations will retain their quotas at the cost price of 68.80 baht apiece.

Maj-Gen Apirat said under this new pricing, retailers will make a profit of 9.60 baht per ticket and they will make 10,000 baht profit each month from two fortnight draws.

He said that selling lottery should be treated as supplementary career and vendors should find a second job to make extra earnings.

He is optimistic that starting June 16, lottery will be available at 80 baht each across the country.

Thai PBS

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