In India, the legality of lotteries varies across different states and is governed by the Lotteries （Regulation） Act, 1998. This central legislation allows states to either permit or prohibit lotteries within their jurisdiction.
Some states like Kerala, Goa, and Punjab have legalized lotteries and operate their own state-run lottery schemes. These government lotteries are considered legal and are regulated by specific state laws.
However, many other states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat have completely banned all forms of lotteries. In these states, organizing or participating in any lottery activity is considered illegal.
Online lotteries and foreign lottery schemes are generally prohibited throughout India under the Lotteries Regulation Act. Only state-run or state-authorized lotteries are permitted in states where lotteries are legal.
The legal status also depends on whether the lottery is a game of chance or skill. While pure chance-based lotteries face restrictions, certain skill-based gaming activities may have different legal treatment under Indian law. |
