Kerala’s lottery sellers fear losses amid proposed price increase

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The Kerala government is reportedly planning to increase the price of daily lottery tickets, a move that has raised concerns among lottery vendors across the state. The proposed price hike aims to boost revenue, but small-scale sellers fear it could lead to financial losses and reduced sales.

According to a report by The Week, Kerala’s lottery department is considering raising the face value of daily lottery tickets from ₹40 to ₹50 due to a reported shortage of tickets. The government projects lottery revenue for the 2025-26 financial year to exceed ₹14,000 crore, more than double the ₹6,366 crore collected in 2015-16. While the hike is expected to generate additional revenue, concerns have been raised about its impact on small retailers who rely on lottery sales for their livelihood.

Anoop, a former Kerala Lotteries bumper prize winner who later became a lottery seller, stated that “if the price is increased, the number and value of prizes should also be adjusted.” He emphasized that street vendors, who already struggle to sell tickets at the current price, would be the most affected. “Even selling a ₹40 ticket is a struggle for them. While big agents may not be affected, small-time sellers will find it extremely difficult,” he told The Week.

Philip Joseph, state president of the Kerala Lottery Agents and Sellers Association-INTUC, also voiced strong opposition to the move. “The lottery business largely depends on ordinary people from the lower strata of society. For many, it is their only livelihood,” he said. Joseph warned that a price hike could force small retailers out of business since they often end up with unsold tickets. “Despite losses, many continue selling because if a regular seller stops buying 50 tickets for a day, bigger agents may stop supplying to them,” he added.

Lottery sellers argue that the current system does not allow them to return unsold tickets, forcing them to absorb losses. If the ticket price rises, these losses will only increase. Many vendors also suspect that the government is pushing the hike to benefit large-scale lottery operators who sell tickets illegally in neighboring states.

Opposition to the price increase is growing, with all major trade unions—except CITU—planning statewide protests on April 5. Protesters aim to pressure the government into reconsidering the hike, emphasizing that it will disproportionately affect small vendors rather than large-scale operators.

Despite widespread opposition, some sellers believe the increase could have long-term benefits. Girish, a lottery seller from Moolamattam and a CITU member, noted that similar concerns were raised during previous price hikes, but sales eventually stabilized. “When the price was increased from ₹20 to ₹30 and later from ₹30 to ₹40, sales initially dropped but recovered within a month,” he said. He also suggested that “if the price increase is implemented, sellers should continue receiving a 12% commission to compensate for any potential losses.”

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