That lotteries are a social evil is an undisputed fact. Just a look around the office, the tea shop on the corner, the alleyway where the magic numbers are announced would confirm the widespread financial enslavement wrought by this thriving industry as millions sink their meagre earnings in the hope that one day the numbers game will finally swing their way. This hope is often shadowed by more than the odds imposed by probability, what with unscrupulous operators fixing the draw and resorting to a host of shenanigans to get cuts from lucky winners. So, there can be no argument with the cabinet's intent to pass legislation to withdraw the state from this dubious, albeit lucrative, endeavour or to engage state governments in working out a consensus on passing laws in the assemblies to also ban private lotteries. While the will is laudable, implementation may notbe that easy.
Lotteries are a major source of revenue for many states, especially in the Northeast.
For instance, the Mizoram government's revenue receipt from lotteries in 1997-98 was Rs 16.08 crore. The Centre says it is considering a scheme to compensate the seven sisters who together stand to lose an estimated Rs 50 crore per annum. The Kerala government, which gets 20 per cent of its non-tax revenue from lotteries, has already lodged a protest that 250,000 jobs in the state are at stake. Others are sure to follow suit. Yet, even if these snags are successfully tided over and the relevant laws enacted, it would be extremely ironical if underground lottery operators are allowed to move into the space vacated.