State to pull the plug on instant, net lotteries- The Economic Times

State to pull the plug on instant, net lotteriesAdd to Clippings
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2006 01:24:14 AM]

MUMBAI: After closing down dance bars last year, the Democratic Front government in Maharashtra now plans to ban instant and internet lotteries in the state. The decision, according to sources, is being taken for ‘social reasons’.

State finance minister Jayant Patil made the assurance in the Legislative assembly after members from both the ruling and the opposition benches demanded government action against internet and online lotteries, which, they said, were “ruining an entire generation”.

Replying to supplementaries on a calling attention notice by Chandrakant Chhajed (Congress) and others on the menace of instant lotteries, Mr Patil said, “If the House so desires, the government would also consider banning all instant lotteries.”

“As of now, these lotteries carry out about 1,500 draws each day. Most of the lotteries are being run by other state governments and hence there are some legal issues involved,” Mr Patil added. He made it clear that the state government had no powers to close down online terminals of lotteries of other states.

He, however, cautioned members that banning lotteries will affect thousands of people across the state whose livelihood depends on the trade. “The members should not come to us to complain that the bread and butter of those engaged in lottery business have been snatched away,” Mr Patil said.

The minister said it was true that the “addiction” to instant lotteries was widespread and “the state government is committed to control the addiction”.lmost all the members who spoke on the issue lamented the ‘side effects’ of the trade. “Young boys from villages queue up from early morning before these lottery centres. Their lives are being ruined,” a BJP MLA said.

Later, Mr Patil told media persons that the decision to ban internet-based and 15-minute draw online lotteries would cost the state exchequer Rs 25 crore. The minister, however, said that daily and weekly draws of online lotteries will continue.

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