by The lottery is one of the oldest forms of gambling. Coming from ancient China, it swept the world by storm, introducing a fun pastime with potentially lucrative results. One of the hotspots for lottery games is India, where fans passionately wait for draws, hoping to hit the jackpot. ENV Media published a research “Dissecting the Indian Lottery Market” that analyses trends and patterns among Desi lottery fans.
Online and Land-Based Lotteries in India
Lottery has been regulated in India for almost 50 years, yet very few states recognize the existence of online lottery. Most laws are focused on traditional forms of the popular game. Still, it is important to mention that several states also have a blanket ban on lottery entertainment.
Thirteen Indian states have officially authorized and regulated their government lotteries: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, and West Bengal. It is worth noting the Union Territory of Chandigarh allows the State Lottery of Punjab.
Lottery in India employs around 1 million people, contributing between Rs 35,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore to the state treasury. Despite the fact the lottery can provide a significant influx of income to state budgets and improve the local economy, there are still plenty of states that don’t allow it.
In the late 2010s, the market of State lotteries in India was around Rs 50,000 crore per year. Just half a decade later, it shrunk to Rs 15,000 crore, primarily due to sales drops at land-based shops and the rise of online lottery.
Who Are Lottery Players in India?
The study also profiles people who play the lottery in India. A previous study in Kerala shows that an average lottery enthusiast in the Spice Garden of India is a married man, around 30 years of age. He is a wage labourer and is constantly faced with a limited and unstable income. The average lottery player in Kerala lives in a rented space with his wife and is no stranger to alcoholism.
This profile also accentuates another important fact: that women are still not that frequent consumers of lotteries. Due to social stigma, they are reluctant to play and, if they do, they probably won’t admit it.
79.24% of all lottery users in India are men, and most of them are either 18 to 24 years old, or 25 to 34 years old. This makes them more open to responsible gaming behaviour and using sites such as Bestindiancasinos.co.in to find online lotteries. Trusted online lottery in India reviewed by Bestindiancasinos.co.in is one of the best ways to get familiar with the topic and find a fair and trustworthy online lottery vendor.
Research conducted in Goa, however, showed a slightly different pattern. As gambling is widely acceptable and available, it is older gambling consumers who prefer the lottery over any other genre.
Another interesting study claims that paper lotteries are primarily interesting to low-income groups. More affluent groups are prone to using online lotteries. That way, they can avoid the stigma and prejudice, yet still enjoy the thrill of the jackpot chase.
86.51% of all online gamblers in India will use their mobile phone to buy lottery tickets. Only 13.02% of players are willing to sit at the desktop computer. Tablet usage is at the lowest of low, with only 0.47% of all Indians ready to use this device to get their hands on the tickets.
Will the New Tax Change Indian Lottery Habits?
The new tax proposal has caused many waves. If accepted, the proposed 28% rate would be among the highest in the world, thus discouraging international operators from offering their services to Indian players. Many industry insiders are worried the new tax would steer players towards dangerous black market brands, causing more harm than good.
As always, gamblers will adapt to new circumstances, even if it means playing less or playing differently than they are used to. Even so, it will be a pleasure to keep an eye on the new trends in numbers. As the market evolves, it will also grow in every way.
