Bombay High Court Upholds Maharashtra’s Ban on Online Lottery Sales
- ByAdmin --
- 10 Mar 2025 --
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For decades, lottery tickets have been a source of hope—and heartbreak—for millions of Indians. While state-run lotteries are legal, the rise of online lottery platforms raised new concerns. Were they being used to manipulate vulnerable players? Could they become a breeding ground for fraud and money laundering?
These concerns prompted the Maharashtra government to ban online lottery sales, a move that triggered a legal battle between the state and digital lottery platforms. The matter finally landed in the Bombay High Court.
A division bench, after months of deliberation, upheld the state government’s decision. In its judgment, the court noted that:
🔹 Lotteries are a regulated form of gambling, not an unrestricted trade under Article 19(1)(g).
🔹 State governments have the authority to control gambling and betting under Entry 40 of the State List.
🔹 Online lotteries create oversight challenges, increasing the risk of fraud, underage participation, and illegal financial transactions.
"This is not a ban on trade, but a necessary regulation to protect consumers," the court observed.
The verdict was met with mixed reactions:
📢 Offline retailers rejoiced, arguing that online lotteries had eroded their business unfairly.
📉 Digital lottery platforms condemned the decision, calling it a setback for India’s digital economy.
Legal analysts believe this ruling could set a precedent for further restrictions on online gambling, including fantasy gaming platforms. States like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have already attempted to regulate online betting apps.
For now, Maharashtra has drawn a clear line—one that prioritizes consumer protection over digital convenience. Will other states follow suit? Only time will tell.
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