lottery ticket uncle

What is the old, disabled lottery ticket uncle actually selling? 

You know, those uncles who stagger from table to table at coffee shops. Do they sell lottery prizes or do they just sell hopes? Perhaps what they offer is an opportunity for us to help others less fortunate, while maintaining their dignity. My wife always approaches one particular uncle who sells lottery tickets at the pasar malam. When she wins a small prize, she gives the winning ticket to the uncle the next time she sees him. She has already received what she wanted to buy, and it isn't the winning ticket.