Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 14 -- The GST rate revision implemented by the Central Government has dealt a severe blow to Kerala's lottery sector, as the tax on lottery tickets has been increased from 28 per cent to 40 per cent in one stroke.
As a result, the State Government will incur a revenue loss of Rs 3.35 per ticket, amounting to approximately Rs 3.35 crore for each lottery draw.
The government has avoided increasing ticket prices by reducing operational margins, discounts, and agency commissions. Currently, 60 per cent of the total ticket sales revenue is distributed as prize money.
"Despite repeated requests, both in person and through letters, to the union Finance Ministry and the GST Council not to raise the tax rate on lottery ti...