Kerala Lottery vs Other State Lotteries
The Kerala lottery differs in 3 ways: paper tickets, sale only in Kerala, and one draw a day. Sikkim and Mizoram run online lotteries. Sikkim and Nagaland sell through appointed distributors.
How is the Kerala lottery different from other state lotteries?
Kerala runs a paper-only lottery, sold by Kerala agents inside Kerala, with one draw a day. Other states use online draws, national distributors or several draws a day. All follow the same central law, the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998.
| Feature | Kerala | Other verified state lotteries |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket form | Paper only; online lottery banned since 2005 | Sikkim: 8 paper and 16 online lotteries; Mizoram: paper and online |
| Who sells | Agents resident in Kerala, supplied by the Welfare Fund Board | Sikkim: 3 marketing agents chosen by national tender; Nagaland: a Government-appointed distributor |
| Where sold | Only inside Kerala | Set by each state, subject to Section 5 bans by other states |
| Draws | 7 weekly lotteries, one each day, plus 6 bumpers | West Bengal: 7 weekly draws and 6 bumpers; Sikkim: 24 lotteries |
| Draw judges | A panel of at least 3, with a Chairman | West Bengal: 2 independent judges |
| Claim period | 90 days | Mizoram: 60 days |
| Department since | 1967 | West Bengal 1968; Nagaland 1972; Goa 1995 |
Each fact for another state comes from that state’s official lottery page. The table leaves blank what no official page states.
Is the Kerala lottery paper or online, compared with other states?
The Kerala lottery is paper only. The Directorate’s FAQ says online lottery was banned in Kerala by G.O.(P) No. 4/2005/TD of 13 January 2005. Rule 6(2) of the 2024 amended Kerala Rules bars any digital sale of Kerala tickets.
Other states choose differently. Rule 3(1) of the central Lotteries (Regulation) Rules 2010 lets a state run paper, online or both. The Sikkim Finance Department lists 16 online lotteries. Mizoram’s lottery office publishes results for paper and online draws.
What does “online lottery” mean in the law?
An online lottery is a terminal-printed ticket, registered on a central server at the moment of sale. Rule 2(1)(e) of the 2010 Rules defines it. It is not the same as buying a paper ticket through a website.
No state’s paper ticket is sold legally through an app or website. Kerala’s FAQ says no agent sells through the internet or social media.
How often are draws held in Kerala and other states?
Kerala holds one draw a day, at 3:00 PM, from 7 weekly lotteries. Six bumpers a year add draws at 2:00 PM on bumper days. Some states hold several draws a day.
The central law sets 4 outer limits for every state.
- One draw a week per lottery, under Section 4(h) of the 1998 Act.
- No more than 6 bumper draws of a lottery a year, under Section 4(j).
- No more than 24 draws a day per state, bumpers excluded, under Rule 3(6) of the 2010 Rules.
- No draw on a National Holiday, under Rule 3(7).
Kerala uses 1 draw a day out of the 24 allowed. Sikkim lists 24 lotteries. West Bengal introduced 7 weekly draws from 14.05.2018, plus New Year, Holi, Nababarsha, Rathayatra, Puja and Diwali bumpers.
How do Kerala lottery ticket prices compare with other states?
A Kerala weekly ticket costs ₹50, and bumper tickets cost ₹250 to ₹500. The prices come from Kerala Gazette notifications and news reports. Few other states publish ticket prices on their official pages.
| Lottery | Ticket price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala weekly lotteries | ₹50 | Kerala Gazette, 10 Nov 2025 |
| Kerala Monsoon Bumper 2026 | ₹250 | Kerala Gazette, BR-110 |
| Kerala Vishu and Pooja Bumpers 2026 | ₹300 | Kerala Gazette, BR-109 and BR-112 |
| Kerala Christmas-New Year Bumper 2025-26 | ₹400 | Kerala Gazette, BR-107 |
| Kerala Onam Bumper 2026 | ₹500 | The Hindu and Onmanorama |
| Meghalaya weekly draw (2023) | ₹10 | Meghalaya notification, 23 Aug 2023 |
The central rules set a floor of ₹2 a ticket and ₹10,000 for a first prize. Kerala’s weekly first prize is ₹1 crore. Every Kerala price includes 40% GST.
How do Kerala and other states sell their tickets?
Kerala sells through its own district offices to agents who live in Kerala. The weekly notifications name the sole distributor: the Kerala State Lottery Agents’ and Sellers’ Welfare Fund Board. Agents then sell to sellers and the public.
Other states often sell through private distributors. Sikkim appoints 3 marketing agents through an open national tender. Nagaland runs its draws through a distributor appointed by the Government. Both methods are allowed by Section 4(c) of the 1998 Act.
Can a state lottery be sold in another state?
A state lottery is sold in another state only where that state does not ban it. Section 5 of the 1998 Act lets any state prohibit other states’ tickets in its territory. Rule 3(11) of the 2010 Rules lets the selling state charge a fee per draw.
Kerala keeps its tickets at home. The Directorate’s FAQ says no agent sells Kerala tickets outside Kerala. Rule 4(3) of the Kerala Rules allows a sole distributor only for states the Government picks.
Kerala’s agent agreement goes further. Agents keep Kerala tickets out of states that run no lottery of their own. Agents sell no lottery other than the Kerala State Lottery.
Which is better, the Kerala lottery or another state lottery?
No official body ranks state lotteries. They differ in format, price and draw count, not in legal standing. Each one is legal inside the state that runs it, under Section 4 of the 1998 Act.
Prize tiers are what most buyers compare. Kerala’s tiers for every weekly and bumper lottery are on the Kerala lottery prize structure page.
Kerala vs other state lottery questions
What is the main difference between the Kerala lottery and other state lotteries?
Kerala sells only paper tickets, only inside Kerala, through Kerala agents. Some states run online lotteries and national distributors.
Which states run online lotteries?
Sikkim and Mizoram, according to their official lottery pages. Sikkim lists 16 online lotteries.
How many draws a day does Kerala hold?
One, at 3:00 PM. The central rules allow up to 24 draws a day per state.
How many bumper lotteries does a state run?
Up to 6 bumper draws of a lottery a year, under Section 4(j). Kerala and West Bengal each run 6 bumpers.
What is the cheapest Kerala lottery ticket?
The weekly ticket at ₹50. Bumper tickets cost ₹250 to ₹500.
How long do other states give to claim a prize?
It varies by state. Kerala gives 90 days. Mizoram’s lottery office gives 60 days.
Who sells Sikkim lottery tickets?
3 marketing agents or distributors, chosen by open national tender, according to the Sikkim Finance Department.
Which state lottery is the oldest in India?
Kerala. Its Department of State Lotteries started on 1 September 1967, the first in India.
Is TDS on lottery prizes the same in every state?
Yes. TDS is a central income-tax rule: 30% on prizes above ₹10,000.
Is GST on lottery tickets the same in every state?
Yes. Lottery tickets carry 40% GST across India from 22 September 2025.
Can Kerala lottery tickets be sold in Tamil Nadu?
No. No agent sells Kerala tickets outside Kerala, according to the Directorate’s FAQ.
Is a Nagaland or Sikkim lottery ticket valid in Kerala?
No. Kerala’s 2024 Rule 4(2A) allows no lottery in Kerala except as the Kerala Government authorises.
Are all state lotteries legal?
Yes, inside the state that runs them under Section 4. A state lottery breaking Section 4 or 5 faces a central ban under Section 6.
Related guides
- Indian states with a state lottery
- Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998
- Can you buy Kerala lottery online?
- Kerala lottery ticket price history
Sources: Directorate of State Lotteries FAQ; Kerala Gazette notifications (weekly, BR-107, BR-109, BR-110, BR-112); Kerala Paper Lotteries Rules 2005 and 2024 amendment; official lottery pages of Sikkim, Mizoram, West Bengal, Nagaland, Goa and Meghalaya; Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998 and Rules 2010; The Hindu and Onmanorama (Onam 2026 price). Unofficial site.