Big Sweep tickets sold to punters in Myanmar
Every first Wednesday of the month, when the draw is held, hotel operations manager Bo Bo Zin waits eagerly for the Singapore Sweep results
Although he thas never been to Singapore, the 32-year-old Myanmar man has been buying tickets avidly for the past six months, sometimes up to 10 at a go. He is part of a growing number of Myanmar people trying their luck in the Singapore lottery.
Over the past year, a number of Facebook groups purportedly selling Sweep tickets to punters in Myanmar have popped up.
Most advertise their services in Burmese and sell tickets from 3,500 kyat (S$3.15) to 4,000 kyat, depending on the number of tickets bought. At Singapore Pools outlets here, the tickets sell for $3 each.
Checks by The Straits Times found at least 10 Facebook groups selling what they claim to be Sweep tickets. Some have over 50,000 followers, mostly in Myanmar.
A Singapore Pools spokesman said Sweep tickets are "sold in Singapore only".
"Customers may be locals or foreigners. Winnings will be paid out... on the provision of the Sweep ticket," the operator added.
Payment is made to whoever presents a winning ticket within an 180-day period.
The sale of Singapore Sweep tickets to those living overseas is unusual. Lawyers and the authorities here say the trade falls into a grey area.
It can be risky, said criminal lawyer Rajan Supramaniam. "The buyers do not know for sure if the tickets are authentic."
The ticket's authenticity can only be proven when the buyer goes to a Singapore Pools outlet to collect the winnings.
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