Goa Launches India’s First Online State Authorized Lottery

iLottery Launch

iLottery, approved by Goa’s Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries, went live yesterday and tickets are now available. First draw will be on 24th November. The app based platform is operated by Rhiti Group, who got the licence from the Directorate earlier this year.

Arun Pandey, founder of Rhiti Group calls it “a secure and convenient way” to play. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey added.

Goa is known as “the Las Vegas of India” and is one of 13 states in India where lottery is allowed. Other states have banned it due to concerns of gambling addiction, mismanagement and corruption.

iLottery is seen as a move to modernize and regulate the industry. Goa’s CM Narayan Gad said it will bring up the standards in the sector. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations,” Gad said.

But past experiences in states like Kerala and Maharashtra show the risks of online platforms. Kerala had to discontinue its online lottery due to irregularities and in Maharashtra, investigations revealed government officials and operators were manipulating. Supreme Court in 2015 had banned online lottery in Kerala citing tampering with ticket terminals which eroded player trust.

A white paper by Pahle India Foundation (PIF) lists out the systemic issues in India’s lottery industry – paper tickets and physical retailers are the norm. The report highlights problems like ticket fraud, logistical inefficiencies and no robust record keeping.

“India’s lottery industry has yet to align with the vision of Digital India,” PIF noted. The country’s increasing smartphone penetration and widespread access to affordable internet make a compelling case for modernization.

Economic and Social Impact

India’s lottery industry generates around $33 billion annually and can yield $12 billion in taxes, according to PIF. This can fund critical social projects like education and healthcare.

Great Goa Games has committed to responsible gaming. The platform has educational resources to ensure player safety and transparency where users can see how the proceeds are being utilized.

iLottery is a big step towards integrating technology in India’s lottery sector. While there are challenges especially on fraud prevention and compliance, it aligns with the overall national effort to digitize traditional sectors.

This could be a benchmark for other states and can transform India’s lottery industry into a more transparent, efficient and socially beneficial entity.