Question : Online Sales of Lotteries

(a) whether the Government is aware of the problems relating to track online sales of lotteries which lead to loss of revenue for the State;

(b) whether the Government has issued or plans to issue any circular/notification related to regulation of lotteries, if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay of 2019 rules on the subject;

(c) the details of the States that have legalized lottery games including Sikkim and the reasons for not taking action against the violator States, if any;

(d) the details and the names of lottery game operators, State-wise;

(e) the details of revenue collected through lottery during each of the last four years, State-wise; and

(f) the details and the number of inquiries pending against lottery game operators specially in Kerala?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)



(a) to (f) The lotteries are regulated under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 and the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010. Directions to the States have been issued under Section 10 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 asking State to scrupulously follow the provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 and the Rules made thereunder. Wherever required clarification have been issued to the States. Last such direction/clarification was issued on 22.01.2019.

As per Entry 34 of the List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution ‘Betting and Gambling’ are State Subject. The words ‘Lottery games’ and ‘Lottery game operators’ are not defined under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 and the Rules made thereunder. As per provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 and the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010, some State Governments organize lotteries. However, data on State-wise revenue collected is not maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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