Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's State Lotteries Department contributed an operating surplus of Rs 5,658 crore to the state exchequer over the last five financial years, according to date provided by the Directorate of State Lotteries in response to a Right to Information(RTI) application filed by an Ernakulam-based RTI activist.
The data shows a sharp rise in the department's contribution, with the highest surplus recorded in 2025-26 at Rs 1,774.52 crores compared with Rs 559.64 crores in 2021-22. During 2022-23, it was Rs 1,018 crore; 2023- 24, Rs 1,203 crore and in 2024-25, it was Rs 1,101.99 crore.
Kerala currently conducts seven weekly lotteries, with draws held every day at 3 pm at Maxim Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram and telecast live. Apart from the above, the Lottery Department also conducts six bumper lotteries: Christmas-New Year; Summer, Vishu, Monsoon, Thiruvonam and Pooja.
The state government has recently increased the first prize of Thiruvonam bumper from Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore. The third prize, however, has been reduced from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, while the ticket price has been fixed at Rs 500. The department plans to distribute up to 90 lakh tickets through agents, although the actual number printed will depend on market demand.
In fact, the lottery surplus has become an important source of financial support to the state, including funding for social security measures and health care schemes. More importantly, the lottery sector also provides a livelihood to sections of society, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens and others who depend on ticket sales for income.
Main Criticism is that the state's dependence on lottery revenue should be viewed alongside the social consequences of widespread lottery participation. A section of daily-wage workers and low-income households spend a substantial portion of their earnings on lottery tickets, potentially affecting expenditure on essentials such as education, food, and savings.
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