Sukhu Govt Bets Big on Lotteries, But Critics Say It’s a Gamble with People’s Lives
Shimla, July 31:
In a move that’s already drawing fire from the Opposition and social experts alike, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has decided to legalise government lotteries — nearly two decades after they were banned in the state for triggering financial ruin and social distress among the poor.
While the government hasn’t officially explained the reason behind this dramatic U-turn, sources say the decision comes after a high-powered revenue committee — headed by the Deputy Chief Minister — recommended reviving the lottery business as a potential non-tax revenue earner.
The committee reportedly studied models from states like Kerala and Punjab, where lotteries are still legal and are contributing significantly to state finances.
But the move has already ignited a political and social backlash.
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur was scathing in his response. “This is not governance, this is gambling with the lives of common people. It’s being passed off as Vyastha Parivartan, but it’s nothing short of Vyastha Vinash.
Lotteries were banned for a reason — families were destroyed, people lost everything, some even took their own lives. Are we so bankrupt of ideas that we’re now selling hope to the poor in exchange for revenue?” he said.
It was banned by the then Dhumal government in 1999, but continued behind the scenes outside the state.
In the early 2000s, Himachal had earned over ₹1,000 crore annually through lotteries, but the actual revenue that reached the government was far less.
The rest reportedly vanished in scams, with cross-border syndicates and private operators running the show.
The final blow came when a CAG report flagged serious financial irregularities, forcing the then Virbhadra Singh government to impose a complete ban in 2005.
So why now?
According to insiders, the Deputy CM-led committee that recommended the move was heavily influenced by Kerala’s model, where the state raked in a whopping ₹12,529 crore in lottery sales in FY 2023-24, with a net profit of around ₹1,022 crore after expenses.
Kerala’s lottery system is one of the most structured in the country — with weekly and bumper draws, a massive agent network, and dedicated welfare schemes like the Karunya Benevolent Fund, which supports poor patients needing expensive medical treatment.
Punjab and Goa too have continued with lotteries, though their earnings are far more modest — Punjab’s lottery revenues touched around ₹235 crore in 2024-25, while Goa barely crossed ₹40 crore.
These figures are small in comparison to the size of their budgets, yet they have kept lotteries alive under tight regulations.
But economists warn against copy-pasting such models without context.
“Kerala has the administrative capacity and checks to run lotteries in a semi-controlled environment, but even then, the social cost is huge.
Lotteries are essentially a tax on the poor,” says Shimla-based economist.
“In a hill state like Himachal, where incomes are lower and social support systems are fragile, this move could push families into further distress.”
Mental health experts echo the concern. The clinical psychologist in Shimla, recalls the devastating impact lotteries had two decades ago. “We saw patients — mostly from rural or low-income backgrounds — who were addicted to buying tickets. When they didn’t win, they borrowed money, sold livestock, even took loans. Some spiraled into depression, and a few cases of suicides were reported. Do we really want to open those wounds again?”
The cabinet, however, remains tight-lipped on what kind of regulatory safeguards will be put in place this time.
There’s no word yet on whether proceeds will fund health, education, or social welfare, or whether mental health support systems will be developed to deal with potential addiction.
Civil society groups are already gearing up for a legal fight, while the Opposition is threatening to launch a statewide protest if the move isn’t rolled back.
“We will oppose this tooth and nail,” thundered Jai Ram. “Let them show the courage to declare how much revenue they expect, and at what cost to society. Himachal is not for sale.”
As the government prepares to roll the dice on lotteries once again, many fear that it's the common people who’ll end up paying the price — chasing a jackpot that rarely comes, and losing their lives in the process.
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