HC dismisses plea on online lottery ban

Kochi, May 23 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed the appeal filed by the State of Sikkim, Kerala Online Lottery Dealers Association and Retail Agents of Online Lotteries challenging the Government notification dated January 13, prohibiting the sale of all computerised and online lottery tickets in the State.

Upholding the order of a Single Judge, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice J B Koshy held that the conduct of online lotteries was violative of the provisions of Lottery Regulations Act and the State Government had power to ban it.

The Court also rejected the contention of the appellants that as the government permitted paper lotteries in the State, the ban on online lotteries was arbitrary and discriminatory.

The Division Bench was not inclined to approve the further contention that the action of the Government was malafide and in collusion with the paper lottery mafia.

UNI XR AA MIR PM1947