Online lottery: K'taka HC issues notices to Meghalaya, Sikkim

Bangalore, Sep 5 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today admitted a writ petition (PIL), challenging the online lottery being conducted by Meghalaya and Sikkim and ordered issuance of notices to the two states, besides Karnataka and the Central government.

The petitioner contended that the Karnataka Computerised Network Lotteries Rules 2001 and similar Rules framed by Meghalaya and Sikkim were illegal and liable to be struck down as they were violative of the provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act made by the Parliament.

The petitioner sought for a direction to the Karnataka government to declare the state as a 'lottery' free zone and put an end to lotteries as it was nothing, but a type of game of chance.

The petitioner said the state government appeared to consider lotteries as a source of revenue to the exchequer just like the revenue from excise. It had earlier considered online lotteries as a major source for augmenting state revenue and turned a blind eye to the after effects of the game.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Bakthavatsala, admitted the petition and ordered the notices.

UNI XR RG HS KP2025