Sports Toto's Special Draw Will Be Less Than Expected PETALING JAYA (Dec 6) The government's decision to reduce special draws according to number forecast operators (NFO) to eight per year instead of 22 is likely to impact the earnings of Sports Toto Bhd less than expected. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research said it was not too concerned since special draws generally have lower sales, and frequently reduce sales from normal draws. Lotteries in India The lottery industry contributes a significant amount to State budgets. It is also a very popular form of entertainment among India's rapidly growing, mobile-savvy and tech-savvy population. This segment is hampered by a variety of structural obstacles which prevent it from expanding. The fine-tuning of taxation issues and pushing for widespread digitization could go a long way toward solving these problems. State-level legal positions regarding lotteries range from allowing them to banning completely. While some states have a more permissive approach, most are restrictive regarding ticket pricing and technology and jackpot size as well as public image. These restrictions hinder the success of government-run lotteries and private ones. Their popularity continues to grow despite the fact that tickets are inexpensive and readily accessible and give them an advantage over illegal gambling operations or offshore operators. The lottery industry is likely to be a part of the digital revolution which has transformed other sectors of the economy. Digitization will not only facilitate new ways to play however, it will also facilitate Indian consumers to purchase tickets. This will impact the offline lottery, a parallel aspect, where a large number of buyers are still accustomed to buying tickets in person at local sales points. In the past, the lottery industry in India was hampered by the high cost of internet access and the absence of a digital infrastructure. Today, 775 million Indians have access to affordable internet services, increasing their purchasing power and convenience. The result will be a shift in market structure, with both offline and online segments interacting. Lottery players can now purchase tickets online and can play anywhere in the United States. The Consumer Protection Act also provides a legal framework to resolve complaints regarding deceptive advertising and other business practices. This ensures that lottery players aren't abused by untrustworthy operators. While the majority are run by the central government, a few of states have private companies licensed to conduct their draws. Private lotteries can be more flexible in their tickets' prices, jackpots and other factors. They can also be more appealing to foreign investors. They also are able to stay clear of restrictions enforced by state-level legislation such as the prohibition of cross-State sales. One case that stands out is the Essel Group's Playwin, licensed to operate the Sikkim state lottery. The company was plagued by financial problems after the introduction of GST which led to the sales of tickets to drop. https://graceplanet.org/members/barend7/activity/89194/ is now in the process of filing for bankruptcy legal proceedings. Private lotteries remain popular in India despite the risks especially for younger generations. They can be played on smartphones, computers, and even televisions. The prizes are usually higher than traditional lotteries. Many players are concerned about the security and safety provided by these platforms. They are also worried about the risk of their personal information being exposed. The government is working to solve these issues by implementing new regulations and promoting responsible gaming. Reporting any suspicious activity can assist the general public.