DAMMAM, 16 March 2004 — They start with the dream of becoming rich, but soon the dream turns into a nightmare. They put their entire fortune on underground lotteries. Despite a strict ban on lotteries and gambling in the Kingdom, and harsh action against lottery brokers, they still flourish here.
A few may become rich but many more become bankrupt.
Although there are several different lotteries that are played by expatriates, the most popular to the tune of 90 percent is the Thai lottery.
Participants bet on numbers in the official Thai lottery, the draws for which are broadcast on satellite TV.
According to rough estimates, it has a turnover of more than SR2 million over two weeks. The lottery is played twice a month and draws are held every 1st and 16th of the month.
There are more than 200 sub-agents operating in Dammam and Alkhobar involved in the Thai lottery.
Bets range from SR2 to any amount a person wishes to play. Several expats who have played the Thai lottery say that the disbursement of prize money is completely above board. The sub-agents get a cut of the total bets and in the process earn a healthy commission.
A grocery store in the Thugba area of Alkhobar, for instance, grosses more than SR50,000 every fortnight. Players admit that a certain amount of dishonesty has begun to gradual creep into the lottery.
Khan, a Pakistani, admits that playing the lottery is an addiction and he has ruined himself. “My family has suffered immensely. I have put my children’s school fees on a bet. Every time I decide it is the last time, but I’ve been saying that for 22 years.”
There are scores of Asians in jail — not for playing Thai lottery but for misappropriating funds from their workplaces The only way they can go free is by paying back the stolen funds.
“They play from jail in hopes that one day their number will come up and they will be able to pay back the money and get out of jail,” said a Thugba agent.
