India’s first fully online lottery: Goa sets stage for a new era in gaming

India’s first fully online lottery, Great Goa Games, is set to create history by transforming the country’s lottery market through a seamless, technology advanced platform.

This app-based initiative, launched by the Goa state government, will replace the conventional paper-based processes and provide transparency and accessibility to players across the country. The first draw is set to be held on November 24, with ticket sales starting on November 18. Goa’s Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries, which oversees the lottery, has licensed Rhiti Group to operate the app-based platform.

Narayan Gad, Director of Small Savings and Lotteries, hailed the initiative as a milestone for the industry. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry. The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations,” Gad said.

A game-changing initiative

India’s lottery sector, which remains predominantly reliant on paper-based physical tickets in over a dozen states, is set for modernisation with the shift to an entirely online system. Highlighting the pioneering role of Great Goa Games, a government spokesperson said, “With the marketing licence issued by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries, Great Goa Games is set to lead the way in India’s lottery industry. The online system will utilise cutting-edge technology to provide seamless opportunities for lottery enthusiasts across India.”

Speaking about the initiative’s broader mission, founder of Rhiti Group, Arun Pandey said, “We are thrilled to launch Great Goa Games, the sole completely technology-based online lottery brand from India. At Rhiti Sports, our mission is to democratise opportunities through technology.”

Pandey added that the platform will focus on promoting responsible gaming, offering educational resources to help players understand the risks and rewards of lottery participation.

Transparency and social responsibility

The platform is designed to ensure accountability by allowing participants to track how proceeds are utilised. Funds from ticket sales will support social initiatives, such as education and healthcare, creating a sense of community impact.

“Over 50% of collected funds will be returned as prizes, fostering trust and excitement among participants,” Rhiti Sports said in a statement. The platform also aims to address India’s estimated USD 23.7 billion annual loss in tax revenue due to unregulated lotteries.

Modernising India’s lottery landscape

The introduction of Great Goa Games addresses longstanding challenges in the Indian lottery industry, such as fraud, mismanagement, and inefficiency. According to a 2024 report by Pahle India Foundation, traditional paper-based lotteries are prone to issues like ticket loss, sale of defective tickets, and logistical challenges in record maintenance.

“Paper-based lotteries compromise integrity and compliance, potentially leading to corruption,” the report stated. It also stressed the need for the industry to align with Digital India’s vision, leveraging widespread smartphone access and affordable internet to create a transparent and efficient system.

The launch of Great Goa Games reflects a broader shift in India’s approach to gaming. While gambling remains controversial and largely banned in many states, Goa’s move signals a growing acceptance of regulated lotteries as a legitimate form of entertainment.

Narayan Gad captured this cultural shift saying, “Lottery as a form of gaming and entertainment is now accepted across India. By integrating technology, we are ensuring transparency, efficiency, and player protection.”

Gambling in India

India has a deep-rooted gambling tradition embedded in its cultural and social fabric. From the roll of dice in the Mahabharata, where a wager cost a princely clan its kingdom, to traditional bets on rooster fights and card games like rummy (considered a game of skill), gambling has long been a part of Indian life. Popular games such as teen patti (similar to poker) and matka (a lottery-like game) have been enjoyed across many states, and gambling is closely tied to festivals and social gatherings.

However, gambling in India remains controversial, with laws varying from state to state. While most states prohibit gambling, exceptions exist for lottery and horse racing. Goa and Sikkim are the only states where casinos are allowed. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 serves as the central legislation, prohibiting the operation of “common gaming houses,” although it makes an exception for “games of skill” like rummy.

Despite these prohibitions, illegal gambling is estimated to generate a $60 billion market in India. The online gambling market alone is predicted to have 12.17 million users, with projections for an annual growth rate of 8.5% through 2027.

Online gambling exists in a legal gray area, with most states lacking specific laws against it. However, states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have banned online gaming, betting, and gambling since 2020. While Sikkim allows online betting through licensed operators, the Information Technology Act prohibits sharing information that promotes online gambling.

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