Kerala plans lottery overhaul
The Kerala government will revise lottery prizes and agents’ commissions in an effort to strengthen sales for state-run lottery system.
India.- The government of Kerala has announced plans to overhaul of the state lottery system amid concerns over declining lottery ticket sales. In a session of the State Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said a review will focus on both the lottery prize structure and the commissions paid to lottery agents.
Satheesan said the review is intended to address the challenges facing the lottery sector while improving its commercial performance and protecting the livelihoods of those working across the distribution network. Lawmakers estimate that around 200,000 retail sellers, 20,000 sub-agents and 10,000 agents rely on the lottery.
The review will see a reassessment of changes introduced by the previous state administration after India’s Goods and Services Tax on lotteries increased from 28 per cent to 40 per cent. At that time, agent commissions were raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent. Satheesan said the current government believes those measures harmed the state lottery system.
