Circular No. 19/1998/TT-BTC guides the storage and destruction of lottery tickets for charitable purposes that have won prizes and been paid out.

CIRCULAR

OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE NUMBER 19/1998/TT-BTC ON FEBRUARY 13, 1998 GUIDING THE STORAGE AND DESTRUCTION OF LOTTERY TICKETS FOR WINNING PRIZES THAT HAVE BEEN PAID OUT

In order to ensure that the storage and destruction of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out are uniformly implemented in lottery companies and are consistent with the scale of development of lottery activities, while ensuring strict management requirements for this special type of document, the Ministry of Finance hereby provides guidance as follows:

1. The objects subject to storage: All lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out must be organized for storage.

- Traditional lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out (stamped "paid out") and stubs (if any), as prescribed in Clause 14, Part II of the Regulation on the Organization of Issuing Traditional Lottery Tickets issued together with Decision No. 729 TC/QĐ/TCNH dated October 15, 1997 of the Ministry of Finance.

- Lotto lottery tickets for winning prizes and corresponding stubs (or retained parts) including both paid-out tickets that have been recalled (stamped "paid out") and non-paid-out tickets from which stubs have been withdrawn, as prescribed in item c, point II of the Regulation on Issuing Lotto Lottery Tickets issued pursuant to Decision No. 207 TC/QĐ/TCNH dated March 21, 1995 of the Ministry of Finance.

- Instant lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out which have been punched or corner-cut according to the issuance regulation of instant lottery tickets issued together with Decision No. 826 TC/QĐ/CĐTC dated September 5, 1994 (for the Northern and Central regions) and Decision No. 1139 TC/QĐ/TCNH dated November 2, 1995 (for the Southern region).

- Scratch-off lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out which have been invalidated (punched or corner-cut) as prescribed in item a, point 2, Clause II of the Regulation on Issuing Scratch-off Lottery Tickets issued pursuant to Decision No. 643 TC/QĐ/TCNH dated September 8, 1997 of the Ministry of Finance.

Hereinafter referred to collectively as lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out.

2. Procedures for warehousing and storing paid-out tickets:

- The basis for determining the quantity of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out to be warehoused for storage is the detailed list of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out established according to the relevant regulations for each type of lottery and each prize category (this list is made in two copies: one copy kept in the accounting department, one copy kept in the warehouse upon entry).

- When warehousing paid-out tickets for storage, it is necessary to conduct inspections and cross-check the actual tickets being warehoused against the detailed list of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out to prevent loss or mismatch when entering storage. Lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out warehoused must meet the requirement of being carefully sealed and bundled according to groups of ticket values with the same retention period for each type of lottery.

- The storage location for lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out must ensure safety, with strict management and protection procedures in place, preventing any loopholes or exploitation.

3. Retention period for winning tickets:

The retention period for lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out is specified as follows:

a. For traditional lotteries, lotto lotteries, and scratch-off lotteries:

Calculated from the expiration date of the payment period stipulated for each type in the issuance announcement or on the back of the ticket, specifically:

Paid-out tickets with winning prize value Retention period

- Under VND 200,000 12 months

- From VND 200,000 to VND 1,000,000 18 months

- From over VND 1,000,000 to VND 25,000,000 24 months

- From over VND 25,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 36 months

- Over VND 50,000,000 84 months.

b. For instant lotteries:

Calculated from the expiration date specified on the back of the ticket (including any extension period if applicable). Specifically:

Retention period

- Prizes for draws 4, 5, and below with all prize values 3 months

- Prizes for draws with values under VND 200,000 (excluding draws 4, 5, and below mentioned above) 12 months

- Prizes for draws with values from VND 200,000 to VND 1,000,000 18 months

- Prizes for draws with values from over VND 1,000,000 to VND 25,000,000 24 months

- Prizes for draws with values from over VND 25,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 36 months

- Prizes for draws with values from over VND 50,000,000 and above 84 months

4. Organization of destruction of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out after their retention period has expired:

a. All lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out after their retention period has expired may be organized for destruction according to general regulations, except in the following cases:

+ Internal audit and review have not yet been completed as required and periodic settlement has not yet been finalized.

+ They are currently under inspection or audit. + There are disputes or complaints that have not yet been resolved.

Additionally, series of instant lottery tickets for winning prizes that have not yet completed reporting the amount paid out to handle surplus or shortage with the printing factory according to the guidance in Circular No. 106 TC/TCNH dated May 13, 1995 also fall within the scope of those not permitted to be destroyed.

b. The basis for organizing destruction is the report requesting destruction of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out after their retention period has expired, as approved by the Lottery Supervisory Council. The lottery company bases the number of winning tickets that have been paid out and have exceeded their retention period to prepare a report (according to the attached form) to submit to the Lottery Supervisory Council at the next meeting for approval. If deemed necessary, the Lottery Supervisory Council has the right to request the lottery company to organize a verification and counting of the tickets to be destroyed under direct supervision of the Council.

c. The lottery company is only allowed to carry out the destruction of lottery tickets for winning prizes that have been paid out after obtaining the approval of the Lottery Supervisory Council. The organization of destruction must be carried out quickly, efficiently, and in accordance with current regulations. After completing the destruction, the lottery company prepares a report on the results of the destruction to send to the competent authorities that are members of the Lottery Supervisory Council and retain it along with the report requesting destruction approved by the Lottery Supervisory Council (as stated in item b, point 4 above) and the detailed list of tickets entered into the warehouse corresponding to the number of tickets that have been destroyed (as stated in point 2) as legal evidence to serve the requirements of inspection and audit when needed.

- Directing the Department of Information and Communications to advise on management, plan formulation, and implementation after approval by the Provincial People's Committee;

- The lottery company shall conduct a comprehensive review and inspection of all issues related to the storage and destruction of expired lottery tickets that have been paid out, based on the provisions of this Circular; and propose to the Department of Finance and Prices to improve the management of the storage and destruction of such tickets in accordance with the regulations.

- This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of signature and replaces Circular No. 97 TC/CĐTC dated November 26, 1993 and Circular No. 3374 TC/CĐTC dated December 19, 1994 issued previously.

In the course of implementation, if any difficulties arise, please report to the Ministry of Finance for study and resolution.

REPORT

REQUEST TO DESTROY LOTTERY TICKETS WITH PRIZES THAT HAVE BEEN PAID OUT AND EXCEEDED THE STORAGE PERIOD

Respectfully submitted to: Lottery Supervisory Council

The lottery company...requests permission from the Lottery Supervisory Council to proceed with the destruction of lottery tickets with prizes that have been paid out and exceeded the storage period according to the regulation until... Specifically as follows:

1. Traditional lottery tickets:

- Total number of traditional lottery tickets with prizes that have been paid out and requested for destruction...tickets; Corresponding to the amount of prize money paid out...VND.

- Detailed explanations (by issuance series, by type of prize value with the same storage period; By ticket type...).

2. Lotto lottery tickets: Recorded as traditional lottery tickets.

3. Instant lottery tickets revealing results immediately: Recorded as traditional lottery tickets.

4. Scratch-off lottery tickets revealing results immediately: Recorded as traditional lottery tickets.

The lottery company...guarantees that all tickets proposed for destruction have been stored for the required period and do not fall under the category prohibited from destruction as stipulated in Clause a, Point 4 of Circular No...dated...issued by the Ministry of Finance, and have been verified and counted accurately against the stored records.

Date of request for destruction of tickets...

Method of destroying tickets...

Location of destruction of tickets...

Name and department of staff responsible for destroying tickets...

Name and department of staff responsible for supervising the destruction of tickets...

After receiving approval from the Lottery Supervisory Council, the lottery company...will proceed with the destruction of tickets and report the results of the destruction in accordance with Clause c, Point 4 of Circular No...dated...issued by the Ministry of Finance.

We look forward to your approval.

Approval opinion of the Lottery Supervisory Council