(1) This Ordinance may be called the Lotteries (Regulation) Ordinance, 1998.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 2nd day of October, 1997.
Short title, extent and commencement.
2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PART 11— Definitions Prohibition of lotteries.
Conditions subject to which lotteries may be organised, etc.
2. In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—
(a) "lottery" means a scheme, in whatever form and by whatever name called, for distribution of prizes by lot or chance to those persons participating in the chances of a prize by purchasing tickets;
(b) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance.
3. Save as otherwise provided in section 4, no State Government shall organise, conduct or promote any lottery.
4. A State Government may organise, conduct or promote a lottery, subject to the following conditions, namely:—
(a) prizes shall not be, offered on any preannounced number or on the basis of a single digit;
(b) the State Government shall print the lottery tickets bearing the imprint and logo of the State in such manner that the authenticity of the lottery ticket is ensured;
(c) the State Government shall sell the tickets either itself or through distributors or selling agents;
(d) the State Government itself shall conduct the draws of all the lotteries;
(e) the prize money unclaimed within such time as may be prescribed by the State Government or not otherwise distributed, shall become the property of that Government;
(f) the place of draw shall be located within the State concerned;
(g) no lottery shall have more than one draw in a week;
(h) the draws of all kinds of lotteries shall be conducted between such period of the day as may be prescribed by the State Government;
(i) the number of bumper draws of a lottery shall not be more than six in a calendar year;
(j) such other conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
5. A State Government may, within the State, prohibit the sale of tickets of a lottery organised, conducted or promoted by another State.
6. The Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, prohibit a lottery organised, conducted or promoted in contravention of the provisions of section 4 or where tickets of such lottery are sold in contravention of the provisions of section 5.
7. If any person acts as an agent, a promoter or trader in any lottery organised, conducted or promoted in contravention of the provisions of this Ordinance or sells, distributes or purchases the ticket of such lottery, he shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both,
8. The offence under this Ordinance shall be cognizable and non-bailable.