Legal Lottery

Legal lotteries and lottery laws vary by state within India. There are currently 13 states that allow lottery games, while the rest have banned them. There is no national ban, but following a 2015 decision by the State Supreme Court of India, individual states take the decision whether to allow lotteries or not. States have the authority to control lottery games in their particular jurisdiction (not internationally) and ensure that all lottery draws that take place are run fairly and comply with the rules and regulations of that particular game.

Lotteries are very popular in the states where they are allowed. The 13 Indian states that have their own lotteries are:

Arunachal Pradesh Assam Goa Kerala Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland
Punjab Sikkim West Bengal    

Previously, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu held successful lotteries, but these states have now banned the sale of lottery tickets.

Kerala State Lotteries is the oldest government-run lottery in India, and has been in operation since 1967. It offers weekly games as well as Bumper Lotteries held six times a year. The Punjab Lottery holds regular Bumper Lottery schemes throughout the year.

The biggest state lottery game in India is the Playwin Lottery, which is run by the Sikkim government and available in a number of states. To play this lottery you must be 18 years old or over and a resident of one of the following states: Arunchala Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Sikkim, and West Bengal. The Sikkim State Lottery also runs Bumper draws throughout the year.

Lotto India is a nationwide online lottery available for players throughout India and worldwide, with jackpots larger than some state lotteries.

There are also many privately-run Indian lotteries, which operate online to get around the state bans. However, players run the risk of fraud, as operators are often anonymous and people frequently lose money from fake tickets or lottery scams.

International Lotteries

International lottiers like Powerball, Mega Millions, and EuroMillions offer huge jackpots, above the level available on Indian games - see the lottery comparison for more details. There is a safe, reliable way to play international lotteries that anyone in India can take part in - a lottery concierge service. Players can safely purchase tickets online from India for the top world lotteries without having to visit the USA or Europe. Because these draws are held outside India, buying lottery tickets online is legal throughout the country, regardless of the gambling laws in any particular state.

Players have won major international prizes via a lottery concierge, including a US lottery win of $30 million.

International Lottery FAQs

1. Can I play international lotteries from India?

Yes, you can play international lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions online. To read more about this facility, visit the How to Play page.

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2. How can I claim the winnings if I win an international lottery from India?

If you win a prize, you will receive a text message or email informing you of your win. Prizes are automatically paid into your online account soon after the draw has been made and you can choose to withdraw your winnings or use them to fund future ticket purchases.

Claiming a large prize is simple, as a player from Panama discovered in 2017 after winning the $30 million Florida Lotto jackpot.

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3. Can I transfer the money I have won to my bank account in India?

Yes. When you set up your online account, you will be required to choose one of the many methods available for funding your account. You can use a variety of methods to withdraw your winnings including Visa, Mastercard and Neteller. Alternatively, the winnings in your player account can be used to buy more tickets for future draws.

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4. Will the lottery ticket concierge service deduct a proportion of my winnings or take a commission?

No. Winnings are paid in full to the player, although you should check if your prize makes you liable for income tax in India.

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