Punjab Government Bans Online Lottery Schemes

The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has decided to ban the sale of all types of online lottery schemes in the state, to check illegal lottery sales in the guise of online lottery.

An official spokesperson said that the ban on “Online Lottery Schemes,” under section 5 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998, would not only check the spread of illegal lottery business, which was proliferating under the guise of online lotteries but also give a boost to the state’s tax and non-tax revenue.

The Cabinet also gave approval for the prohibition of the sale of computerised and online lotteries marketed and operated through vending machines, terminals and electronic machines, as well as online scheme tickets sold, organised, conducted or promoted through the internet by any State within India or by a foreign country.

The Directorate of Lotteries has been asked to liaise with the police authorities to curb the illegal lotteries in the state of Punjab, and ADGP Law and Order has been appointed as nodal officer to initiate action against these illegal lotteries.