Government lottery in India is available in these 13 States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim and West Bengal. All other States and Union Territories in the country have outlawed lottery programs.
Although gambling in general is a criminal offence in India, the Central Government under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998, authorizes all the State Governments to formulate their own laws regarding permitting or prohibiting lotteries.
Any State Government in India can promote and conduct lottery draws provided it meets the following criteria:
The prizes are not based on single digits or rewarded on pre-announced numbers.
The State logo is visibly printed on the lottery ticket.
Tickets are sold by the State Government directly or via authorized vendors and agents.
Generated revenue is credited to the State’s public exchequer.
The State Government alone organizes the lottery draws.
The draws take place within the State itself.
The State Government schedules the date of draw.
More than one lottery draw is conducted every week.
Unclaimed winnings are acknowledged as the State Government’s property.
Up to 6 Bumper draws are conducted annually.
Terms and conditions laid down by the Central Government are met.
Leveraging this right, the aforementioned 13 Indian States have come up with their own legal government lotteries, whereas the rest of the States and Union Territories continue to maintain their stance on the ban.
The Central Government does not organize, conduct or promote any of the lotteries permitted by any of the States. However, it can interfere with a State Government’s policies if the laws are violated.
For instance, no State can exercise lottery regulations at the expense of another State’s authority to organize, conduct or promote the activity.
To give an example, if an agency or individual authorized to market and sell lottery tickets in Nagaland decides to operate in Kerala or promote the activity in that State, the Government of Kerala can move the Central Government to take necessary action. However, the latter could also cooperate and allow the promotion.
Also bear in mind that if you belong to “State A” in India, you usually cannot participate in a lottery in “State B”. Inter-state sale of tickets is usually discouraged unless stated otherwise. This is especially so if lottery has been outlawed in the State from where you are trying to buy the ticket.
For such individuals, international lotteries are available for participation. You can buy the tickets to the official draws online via concierge services or bet on the outcome of the draw. Check out these top 3 lottery sites that let you enter world lottos from the comfort of your home in India:
Quick List of the 13 Indian States That Allow Lottery
Let’s discuss all the Government Lottery schemes available in each Indian State, their ticket prices, the authority responsible for running the draws, lottery running hours, and more.
Arunachal Pradesh – 7 schemes run every week by the Directorate of Arunachal Pradesh State Lotteries
Assam – 13 schemes run every day by the Bodoland Territorial Council (Assam)
Goa – 5 schemes run weekly and monthly by the Directorate of State Lotteries, Goa
Kerala – 13 schemes run weekly and annually by theLottery Department, Government of Kerala
Madhya Pradesh – Lotteries legalized again starting 23 August 2021
Maharashtra – Over 10 schemes run daily, weekly, monthly, and annually by the Department of Finance, Government of Maharashtra
Manipur – 21 schemes run every week by the Directorate of Lotteries, Government of Manipur
Meghalaya –Government lottery in Meghalaya not conducted since 2007, although not outlawed
Mizoram – 14 schemes run weekly, monthly, and annually by the Institutional Finance and State Lottery, Government of Mizoram
Nagaland – 4 schemes run every week by The Directorate of Nagaland State Lotteries
Punjab– 16 schemes run weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually by the Lottery Department, Government of Punjab
Sikkim– 14 schemes run every week by the Directorate of Sikkim State Lotteries
West Bengal – 13 schemes run weekly and annually by the West Bengal State Lottery Directorate
Ever since government lotteries started in India, Dear Lottery has played a vital role in being an industry player. With its own lottery schemes, network of dealers, agents and stockists, the organization continues to rule the roost and create epic winners in the country.
Its operation includes the active marketing and distribution of paper tickets in States that permit the lottery. In fact, it was the first government-backed lottery company in India to telecast the dear lottery live to keep uphold fair play, transparency, credibility, and trust.
If you’ve analyzed the lottery schemes offered by the individual Indian States, you’d know Dear State Lottery offers some of the best ones with top prizes. The draws are conducted efficiently and always on time.
More than 1000 professionals working for the organization make sure the marketing and distribution are effectively done and winnings are always paid out. Dear Lottery has also invested considerably in technology; over 50 software engineers and technology pros ensure the draws happen without a glitch.
The organization is a member of Asia Pacific Lottery Association (APLA) and the World Lottery Association (WLA), which further raises the trust quotient. Lastly, Dear Lottery is not just about helping the Indian Government run lotteries and generate revenue.
Its business is geared toward economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The organization works to improve the quality of life of the local populace, create employment opportunities, promote education of the masses, spread awareness about gender equality, contribute toward eradicating hunger and poverty, protect national heritage, art, and culture, and more!
Buy a government lottery ticket in India in these 5 simple steps:
1. Check with your State Lottery Department about the available lottery schemes. 2. Choose a lottery scheme the ticket to which you can afford. 3. Visit an authorized ticket dealer or agent to buy the paper ticket. 4. Remember to write your name and address on the back of the ticket. 5. Wait for the draw date and hope for the best.
How to Check State Government Lottery Results?
To check State Government lottery results in India, always visit the official site of the State Lottery Department where the results – both old and new – are published. Alternatively, the Department would also publish results of State lotteries in leading local dailies. Some State lotteries are even streamed live on YouTube for players to know the results as and when the draws take place.
Can You Play the Government Lottery in India for Free?
Currently, you cannot play the government lottery in India for free. Every ticket comes for a price which can range between ₹2 to ₹500 or more. If you want to play free lottery in India, you need to visit international lotto sites that hand out discounts and tickets free of cost.
Can You Play Government Lotteries Online in India?
Currently, you cannot play any State Government lottery online in India. All State Lotteries are just paper lotteries. To play them, you must buy physical tickets from local vendors. No State allows the sale of government lottery tickets online. In fact, some have gone on to ban online lottery altogether.
If you want to play online lottery in India, you must visit world lotto sites. I have listed the top 3 below:
If the Lottery Can be Legalized, Why Not Matka Gambling?
Satta Matka has deep roots nationwide in India. Even if it has been outlawed in the country, most States have illegal gambling dens running in full swing; the people associated with it are earning and feeding their families.
Although the Central Government of India has intervened time and time again and tried its best to bust such businesses, solving this problem is easier said than done. Therefore, it would not be a simple task to legalize matka gambling the way the lottery has been legalized.
Plans can quickly backfire and operations can go haywire. Nevertheless, the Central Government intends to bring in some form of system to legalize satta matka, formalize the people associated with it, and offer States more control over the trade.
Which Is the Biggest Lottery in India?
The biggest lottery in India is the Thiruvonam Bumper Lottery run every year by the State Government of Kerala.
The first prize for this lottery ranges anywhere from ₹7 Crore to ₹12 Crore and the second prize from ₹1 Crore to ₹50 Lakh. The third prize is fixed at ₹10 Lakh. There is even a consolation prize of ₹5 Lakh.
The Kerala Thiruvonam Bumper Lottery takes place in the month of September on the auspicious day of Thiruvonam during the Onam festival. Tickets are usually priced at ₹200.
Can I Run a Private Lottery in India?
You cannot run a private lottery in India. Under the Lottery Regulation Act, all lottery schemes run by private parties are illegal unless approved by the Central Government.
