Kerala Lottery Rules: Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Rules 2005
The Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Rules 2005 are the state rules that govern how Kerala prints, sells, draws and pays its lottery. They were made under Section 12 of the central Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998. A 2024 amendment rewrote the claim and sale rules.
What are the Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Rules 2005?
The Kerala Paper Lotteries Rules are 10 rules notified by the Government of Kerala on 20 April 2005. They were issued as G.O.(P) No. 65/2005/TD and published as S.R.O. No. 372/2005. They appeared in Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No. 823.
The rules came into force at once. They extend to the whole of Kerala. Rule 2(9) defines a paper lottery as any lottery under the 1998 Act other than an online lottery.
What does each rule cover?
| Rule | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | Short title, extent and commencement |
| 2 | Definitions: agent, agency discount, Director, District Lottery Officer, draw, paper lottery |
| 3 | Printing of tickets: design, signature, counterfoil, series, security |
| 4 | Conduct of the lottery by the Director; appointment of agents |
| 5 | Grant, renewal, suspension and cancellation of agency |
| 6 | Duties of agents; rules of sale |
| 7 | Sale and distribution of tickets |
| 8 | Conduct of the draw and publication of results |
| 9 | Prizes and prize claims |
| 10 | Interpretation: doubts go to the Government |
The rules have been amended several times. The official compilation on the Directorate’s website lists amendments of 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2024.
What changed in the 2024 amendment to the Kerala lottery rules?
The 2024 amendment moved the claim period to 90 days, banned digital sale and reset the claim offices. It is the Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Amendment Rules 2024. It was issued as G.O.(P) No. 177/2024/TAXES on 24 December 2024.
It was published as S.R.O. No. 1197/2024 in Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No. 4114 on 30 December 2024. Its explanatory note cites the move to IT-enabled services and stronger regulation.
| Topic | 2005 text | After the 2024 amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Claim period | 30 days from the draw | 90 days from the draw |
| Late claims | Delay condoned by officers on valid grounds | Claims of ₹1 lakh or more, within 60 more days, at the Government’s discretion |
| Online sale | Not addressed in the rule text | No sale through any device, computer or social media |
| Agency term | Calendar year, renewed yearly | 2 years, renewable 2 years at a time |
| Who becomes an agent | Any applicant to the District Lottery Officer | A person with proof of residence in Kerala |
| Joint claims | Not provided | Allowed, with a notarised affidavit in Form VI |
| Prize payment | Demand draft, ticket exchange or cash | Electronic transfer, ticket exchange or cash |
How many days do the Kerala lottery rules give to claim a prize?
The amended rules give 90 days from the date of the draw. Rule 9(3) of the 2024 amendment sets the limit. Every official result sheet prints the same 90 days.
Older copies of the rules show 30 days. That figure comes from the 2005 text of Rule 9(3) and Rule 9(10). Copies on legal databases, such as Indian Kanoon, still carry the 2005 wording.
Rule 9(10) now says prizes not claimed within 90 days are not paid. A proviso covers late claims of ₹1 lakh or more. Such a claim, filed within 60 days after the deadline, goes to the Government. The Government examines the reason and decides.
Which form does a claim need?
A claim above ₹10,000 needs Form V, filled and submitted with the original ticket. Rule 9(3) says prizes below ₹10,000 need no Form V. Form V asks for PAN, Aadhaar and the bank account for payment.
- Form V: claim application for prizes above ₹10,000.
- Form VI: notarised affidavit for a joint claim by people who shared the ticket price.
- Form VII: notarised affidavit for a winner from outside Kerala.
- Form VIII: affidavit for a torn or damaged ticket.
Who sanctions a Kerala lottery prize claim under the rules?
The sanctioning officer depends on the prize amount, and the 2024 amendment changed every limit. The table compares the 2005 text with amended Rule 9(3)(c).
| Prize amount | 2024 amendment, Rule 9(3)(c) |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹10,000 | Junior Superintendent |
| Above ₹10,000, up to ₹10 lakh | District Lottery Officer or Lottery Sub Officer |
| Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹1 crore | Deputy Director of Lotteries |
| Above ₹1 crore, up to ₹5 crore | Joint Director of Lotteries |
| Above ₹5 crore | Director of State Lotteries |
The 2005 text had 3 levels. The District Lottery Officer sanctioned up to ₹1 lakh. The Deputy Director sanctioned up to ₹20 lakh, and the Director sanctioned above that. Agents collected prize tickets up to ₹5,000.
Amended Rule 9(5) lets the Director fix the agents’ collection limit from time to time. Agents present collected tickets within 90 days for reimbursement.
What do the Kerala lottery rules say about selling tickets?
The rules allow only the original printed ticket, sold by an agent or seller, at face value. The 2024 amendment wrote these limits into Rule 6 and Rule 7.
- Rule 6(2): no one sells Kerala tickets, numbers or ticket images through any communication device, computer or social media.
- Rule 6(3): no agent or seller sells a ticket below or above its face value.
- Rule 6(5): the ticket is handed over as soon as the price is paid.
- Rule 6(7): no one bundles tickets with goods, services or property without the Director’s permission.
- Rule 7(8): only agents and sellers sell to the public; tickets held by anyone else are confiscated.
Breaking Rule 6(2) is punishable under Section 7(3) of the 1998 Act. Rule 4(2A) adds that no one runs or sells any lottery in Kerala without Government authority.
Do the rules allow sale outside Kerala?
Rule 4(3) lets the Director appoint a sole distributor for states that are not lottery-free zones. The Government decides which states and union territories. The Directorate’s FAQ states that no agent sells Kerala tickets outside the state today.
What do the Kerala lottery rules say about agents and sellers?
An agent is a Kerala resident appointed under an agreement in Form III. Amended Rule 5(1) requires proof of residence in Kerala. The agency is valid for 2 years and is renewed 2 years at a time.
- Seller: a person with a sales permit in Form II, who sells within Kerala.
- Sole distributor: a Government agency that sells tickets to agents at the first point of sale.
- Identity card: issued in electronic or physical form, with a unique registration number.
- Suspension: the Director suspends an agency pending inquiry; it lapses after 60 days without a show-cause notice.
The weekly Gazette notifications name the distributor. It is the Kerala State Lottery Agents’ and Sellers’ Welfare Fund Board, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram.
How do the rules govern the Kerala lottery draw?
Rule 8 requires a draw inside Kerala, before a panel of at least 3 judges with a Chairman. The Director fixes the time and announces it in advance. The majority decision of the judges is final.
Amended Rule 8(5) fixes where results appear. They go in at least 1 national and 2 state-level newspapers, one in English. They appear in the Kerala Government Gazette and on the Department’s official website.
The Director postpones a draw under Rule 3(6A) and informs the Government. The Government cancels a scheme or draw in an emergency under Rule 3(6B).
What happens to seized, torn and unclaimed tickets under the rules?
The rules forfeit prizes on seized tickets and refuse claims after 90 days. Torn tickets are paid only after checks.
- Rule 9B: tickets sold against the Act or rules are seized, and their prizes stand forfeited.
- Rule 9(9): tampered or mutilated tickets are rejected; doubtful tickets go to a security lab.
- Rule 9(9): a torn ticket is paid when found genuine, after an affidavit in Form VIII.
- Rule 9(6): one ticket wins only its highest prize in a draw.
- Rule 9(1): the Government guarantees payment of every prize.
Each step for a winner is in the guide on how to claim Kerala lottery prize.
Kerala lottery rules questions
When were the Kerala Paper Lotteries Rules made?
On 20 April 2005, by G.O.(P) No. 65/2005/TD, published as S.R.O. No. 372/2005 in Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No. 823.
Under which law were the Kerala lottery rules made?
Under Section 12 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998, the central law. Section 12 lets each state make rules on claims and draw hours.
What is the latest amendment to the Kerala lottery rules?
The Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Amendment Rules 2024. It was issued on 24 December 2024 and gazetted on 30 December 2024.
Why do some sites say 30 days to claim a Kerala lottery prize?
They quote the 2005 text of Rule 9. The 2024 amendment changed the period to 90 days, the figure printed on every sheet.
Who sanctions a ₹1 crore Kerala lottery prize?
The Deputy Director of Lotteries, under amended Rule 9(3)(c). The Deputy Director sanctions prizes above ₹10 lakh up to ₹1 crore.
Who sanctions a bumper first prize?
The Director of State Lotteries. Amended Rule 9(3)(c) gives the Director every prize above ₹5 crore.
What is Form V in the Kerala lottery rules?
Form V is the claim application for prizes above ₹10,000. It records the ticket, the winner, PAN, Aadhaar and bank details.
What is a joint claim?
A claim by more than one person who shared the ticket price. Each winner files Form V, and all sign a notarised Form VI affidavit.
What does a winner from outside Kerala submit?
Form V and a notarised affidavit in Form VII, with the original ticket. Rule 9(3) adds the affidavit for winners from outside the state.
How long is a Kerala lottery agency valid?
2 years from the date of grant. It is renewed for 2 years at a time, on payment of the renewal fee.
Who can become a Kerala lottery agent?
A person with proof of residence in Kerala, under amended Rule 5(1). The person signs an agreement in Form III.
What happens to a ticket seized from an unauthorised seller?
It is confiscated. Rule 9B forfeits every prize and agent prize won by the seized ticket.
Can a Kerala lottery agent sell tickets on WhatsApp?
No. Rule 6(2) bars any sale of tickets, numbers or images through a communication device or social media.
Can an agent sell a ticket above its price?
No. Rule 6(3) bars sale below or above face value.
Can a late claim be paid after 90 days?
Yes, in one case. A claim of ₹1 lakh or more, filed within 60 more days, goes to the Government for a decision.
Do the rules allow Kerala tickets to be sold in other states?
No agent sells outside Kerala today. Rule 4(3) allows a sole distributor only for states the Government chooses.
Related guides
- Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998
- Directorate of State Lotteries
- Can you buy Kerala lottery online?
- Kerala lottery glossary
- What is the Kerala State Lottery?
Sources: Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Rules 2005 (Indian Kanoon text); Kerala Paper Lotteries (Regulation) Amendment Rules 2024, G.O.(P) No. 177/2024/TAXES, S.R.O. No. 1197/2024 (Directorate of State Lotteries compilation); Directorate FAQ; Karunya Gazette notification, 10 November 2025. This page describes the rules. It is not legal advice. Unofficial site.