In a move towards modernizing India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
India’s lottery sector has faced scrutiny over fraudulent practices, particularly in states like Kerala and Maharashtra. Kerala previously experimented with an online lottery but discontinued it after discovering multiple unauthorized lotteries operating simultaneously. Maharashtra encountered similar issues, where investigations revealed collusion between government officials and lottery operators.
According to a 2024 report by the Pahle India Foundation (PIF), the reliance on paper tickets has hampered the industry’s growth and integrity. The report cited logistical challenges, risks of fake tickets, and difficulties in maintaining accurate records as significant drawbacks of the current system. Moreover, India’s burgeoning tech-savvy population remains underserved by these outdated practices.
“India’s lottery industry does not adequately leverage the growing access to smartphones and cheap internet,” the PIF report noted, urging alignment with the Digital India initiative. This sentiment is echoed by the World Economic Forum, which describes India as “the next Silicon Valley.”
The move to an online lottery in Goa aligns with these recommendations, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address long-standing issues while expanding accessibility. The system will allow users to purchase tickets, track draw results, and view how proceeds are allocated, all through a mobile application.
The Indian lottery industry generates an estimated $33 billion annually, with a potential tax revenue of $12 billion, according to PIF.
Great Goa Games also said it hopes to distinguish itself by offering educational resources to encourage safe play and by ensuring that lottery proceeds are transparently directed toward social programs such as education and healthcare.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/11/20/85963-india-goa-introduces-online-lottery-in-search-of-more-transparent-gaming-processes
