Thai govt to reassess N3 lottery project after lukewarm response

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on Tuesday that the government may discontinue the sale of the three-digit N3 lottery if it is found to be unpopular and cannot compete with underground lotteries. 

He said he would reassess the N3 lottery project after the end of its trial period in April. The Government  Lottery Office (GLO) launched the sandbox trial phase of the N3 lottery on November 1. 

Reports suggest that the N3 lottery has not sold well, as its rewards are not competitive enough compared to those of underground lotteries. The N3 lottery allows buyers to bet on three digits, offering multiple chances to win. If the selected digits match the three digits of the first prize in the regular lottery draw or the last two digits of the first prize, the buyer wins a reward.

Additionally, buyers can win if their selected digits match those of the two last three-digit prizes or two front three-digit prizes along with a two-digit prize. 

In contrast, underground lottery buyers must specify which prizes they wish to bet on, including the last two or three digits of the first prize, the two-digit prize or the three-digit prize. 

Julapun said the N3 lottery was designed to compete with underground lotteries, but if it fails to do so and has a negative impact on the conventional lottery system, then the GLO will have to reconsider the project, Julapun said.