Lottery Games in India
Lottery games are super popular across India, with folks from all walks of life trying their luck. Some states run them to make money for the government, while other states have banned them totally. You can play through old-school paper tickets or new online platforms.
What Are Lottery Games?
Lotteries are lucky draw games where you buy a ticket with some numbers. If your numbers match in the draw, you win money – sometimes small, sometimes jackpot-level crores!
Unlike skill-based gambling activities that require strategic thinking or specialized knowledge, lotteries are based on pure luck. So anyone can try without special skills.
Some lotteries are super simple, others add extra numbers or bonus rounds. But in the end, it’s all about luck.
Here’s a schematic classification of lotteries in India:
| Category | Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Based on Legality | âś… Legal State Lotteries | Run by individual state governments; Regulated under Lotteries Act, 1998 | Kerala State Lottery |
| ❌ Banned Lotteries | Completely prohibited in some states (e.g., Gujarat, Bihar) | Gujarat, Bihar (No official lottery) | |
| 2. Based on Mode of Operation | đź“ś Traditional Paper Lotteries | Physical tickets sold via retail shops/kiosks | Nagaland State Dear Lottery |
| đź’» Online Lotteries (where allowed) | Tickets purchased and results accessed digitally | Playwin (by Sikkim) (Discontinued in 2019) | |
| 3. Based on Game Format | 🎟️ Passive Lotteries | Pre-printed tickets with fixed numbers | Kerala Akshaya Win-Win, Nirmal Lotteries |
| 🔢 Active Lotteries | Players choose their own numbers | Sikkim Super Lotto (Playwin) | |
| 4. Based on Draw Type | đź“… Daily Draw Lotteries | Held once or multiple times a day | West Bengal Dear Bangabhumi Raidak Lottery |
| 📆 Weekly/Monthly Draw Lotteries | Draws on fixed days (e.g., Sunday Special) | Maharashtra Gajlaxmi Weekly Lottery | |
| 🏆 Bumper Lotteries | Big prize draws on festivals or special occasions (e.g., Diwali, New Year) | Punjab Dear New Year Bumper Kerala Onam Bumper |
Most Indian lottery games follow either a passive model where players purchase tickets with pre-assigned numbers or an active model where participants select their preferred numbers from defined ranges. It feels more personal, like “apna lucky number”.
Traditional lottery tickets feature pre-printed numbers sold through authorized retail networks including corner shops, post offices, and dedicated lottery kiosks.
In contrast, modern online lotteries allow players to select their numbers digitally, receive electronic confirmation of their entries, and participate in draws without physical tickets.
Legal Status Across Indian States
The central law (Lotteries Act, 1998) lets each state decide for itself. That’s why in some places it’s totally legal, and in others, it’s a big no-no.
States where it’s legal: 13 states like Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Nagaland run official lotteries. Kerala is the king here – daily draws, big prizes, and strict rules.
Indian States Where Lotteries Are Legal:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Goa
- Kerala
- Maharashtra
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Punjab
- Sikkim
- West Bengal
- Puducherry
States where it’s banned: Places like Gujarat, Bihar, and Haryana don’t allow lotteries at all. Playing or selling can get you fined or jailed.
Each state that allows lotteries has its own rules – ticket price, prize amount, where the money goes, etc. And don’t try buying tickets from another state online-that’s illegal too!
Top & Popular Lottery Games in India (2025 Edition)
Kubera Lottery
- Lottery Type: Digital / Online Lottery
- Country of Origin: India
- Schedule: Multiple daily rounds (typically every few minutes)
- Ticket Price: â‚ą10-â‚ą20 (varies by game)
Kubera Lottery is India’s top online lottery in 2025, named after the god of wealth. It’s all digital-buy tickets anytime, anywhere on your phone.
It feels more than just a game-many see it as a shot at divine luck. Daily draws, big jackpots (â‚ą10 crore+), and even quick-win games keep things exciting.
You earn loyalty points even if you don’t win, which you can use for bonus tickets and special draws. It’s legal, safe, and draws are livestreamed, so everything’s clear and fair.
The Indian Lottery
- Lottery Type: Online Lottery / Game-based Lottery
- Country of Origin: India
- Schedule: Varies by platform (some daily, some frequent)
- Ticket Price: Typically â‚ą10-â‚ą50
The Indian Lottery is a national-level lottery where multiple states team up to offer massive jackpots, starting from â‚ą25 crore! Draws happen twice a week, and you play by picking 6 numbers out of 49.
It’s a mix of both worlds-buy tickets online or from your local shop. There’s even a PowerBall-style bonus and special bumper draws during festivals.
Money from ticket sales goes to good causes like schools, hospitals, roads, and disaster relief. So, you’re not just trying your luck-you’re also helping the country.
WinGo
- Lottery Type: Instant/Online Game Lottery
- Country of Origin: India (popular via private gaming apps)
- Schedule: Every 3-5 minutes
- Ticket Price: â‚ą10-â‚ą50
WinGo is a super popular lottery-style app where games happen every few minutes-no waiting like old-school lotteries. Just guess the right colour or number, and you can win up to 95x your money!
It’s quick, flashy, and made for mobile. You can even play with friends, join groups, and share results like a gaming party.
They give bonuses, daily rewards, and referral offers to keep you hooked. But heads up-it’s still in a legal gray zone, so it may not work everywhere in India.
K3 Lotre
- Lottery Type: Online 3-number lottery game
- Country of Origin: Likely Southeast Asia (but promoted on Indian platforms)
- Schedule: Multiple draws daily
- Ticket Price: Varies (often â‚ą10-â‚ą100)
K3 Lotre is like a mix of old-school lottery and quick-play games. You pick 1 to 10 numbers out of 80, and every 20 minutes, 20 numbers are drawn. More matches = bigger prize!
It’s mostly played at gaming shops in legal states, where people watch results together on big screens-full time mazaa.
You can play safe or go bold, and some draws even have jackpots that keep growing. It also shows number stats for those who like to plan their game (even if luck’s still the boss!).
5D Lotre
- Lottery Type: 5-digit number lottery
- Country of Origin: Likely Southeast Asia / Private platforms
- Schedule: Frequent draws (depends on the platform)
- Ticket Price: Usually â‚ą10-â‚ą100
5D Lotre is one of the most complex lottery games in India. You pick 5 digits (0-9), and the prize depends on the exact order, combos, or patterns you match. There are 1 lakh possible combos!
Draws happen every 4 hours, so there’s time to chill between rounds. It’s not just about luck-many folks enjoy it for the strategy and brain workout.
Even though it looks tricky, they offer demo modes and guides to help newbies learn. Once you get the hang of it, it’s like number cricket-deep but fun!
Kerala State Lottery
- Lottery Type: State-run Government Lottery
- Country of Origin: India (Kerala)
- Schedule: Daily draws + special bumper draws
- Ticket Price: â‚ą30-â‚ą300 (depends on draw)
Kerala started India’s first government lottery in 1967, and it’s still going strong. People trust it because it’s clean, transparent, and helps society.
There are 7 weekly draws like Akshaya, Karunya, and Nirmal-each with different prizes and ticket prices. You can buy tickets from lakhs of sellers across the state.
Winners often become crorepatis, but it’s not just about money-lottery funds go to medical help, poor families, and student scholarships.
Draws are done the old-school way-live, with proper checks and full honesty. No scams, no jhol.
Lotto India
- Lottery Type: Online National Lottery
- Country of Origin: India
- Schedule: Twice weekly (typically Tuesday & Friday)
- Ticket Price: â‚ą40 per line
Lotto India is like a modern lottery with global rules but desi touches. You pick 6 numbers out of 49, plus a bonus number. Match enough, and boom-you win! There are 8 ways to win, from small prizes to full jackpot.
You can also boost your winnings with a multiplier (up to 5x). The draw doesn’t happen daily-it waits till enough tickets are sold, so the prize pool is solid.
What’s cool? A part of the money goes to good causes like village projects and disaster help. It’s all online, super safe, and fully digital-no chits, no cheating.
Comprehensive List of All Major Lottery Games in India
State-Run Lotteries
Kerala State Lottery
- Lottery Type: Government-run paper lottery
- State of Origin: Kerala
- Schedule: Daily draws + special bumper draws (Onam, Vishu, etc.)
- Ticket Price: â‚ą30-â‚ą300 (varies by draw)
- Where to Buy Ticket: Authorized agents and local vendors in Kerala
Launched in 1967, it’s India’s first and most trusted lottery. Known for its transparency and public welfare schemes like the Karunya Benevolent Fund.
Sikkim State Lottery
- Lottery Type: Government-run paper & digital lottery
- State of Origin: Sikkim
- Schedule: Daily draws + bumper draws
- Ticket Price: â‚ą6-â‚ą100+
- Where to Buy Ticket: Local vendors in Sikkim and some digital platforms (in lottery-legal states)
Sikkim was one of the first to bring in paper and online lotteries in the northeast. It runs 3 daily draws-Dear Morning, Dear Day, and Dear Evening-so there’s always a chance to play and win.
It’s all digital-friendly: online results, ticket checks, and easy prize claims. Tickets are also sold in other legal states, helping grow the prize pool.
Sikkim also runs special themed draws for festivals and public welfare. While jackpots are smaller than big states, the frequent draws give more chances to win.
Nagaland State Lottery
- Lottery Type: Government-run paper lottery
- State of Origin: Nagaland
- Schedule: Three draws daily (1 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM) + festival bumpers
- Ticket Price: â‚ą6-â‚ą50 (regular); â‚ą100-â‚ą500 (bumpers)
- Where to Buy Ticket: Authorized agents and vendors across Nagaland and other legal states
Nagaland runs three daily draws-Dear Flamingo, Dear Eagle, and Dear Vulture. Tickets cost just â‚ą6, but the prizes are solid thanks to huge ticket sales.
It’s one of the most well-managed lotteries in the Northeast, with strict rules for sellers and zero tolerance for fraud.
A big chunk of the money goes to tribal welfare, education, and culture. That’s why locals support it so strongly.
And yeah-some folks even follow stats and patterns, just for fun (even though it’s all about luck!).
Maharashtra State Lottery
- Lottery Type: Government-run paper lottery
- State of Origin: Maharashtra
- Schedule: Daily & weekly draws + occasional bumper draws
- Ticket Price: â‚ą20-â‚ą100+
- Where to Buy Ticket: Licensed sellers across Maharashtra
Maharashtra runs 6 weekly draws with names like Shree, Laxmi, Gold, and Silver-one almost every day! Tickets are super affordable, usually â‚ą10-â‚ą20, so anyone can join.
You can buy them easily from shops across the state, even in small towns. And don’t worry-they use secure barcodes and holograms to stop fake tickets.
Money from the lottery goes to farmers, drought relief, and housing projects, making it more than just a game-it’s also for a good cause.
West Bengal State Lottery
- Lottery Type: Government-run paper lottery
- State of Origin: West Bengal
- Schedule: Daily draws (1 PM) + festival bumpers
- Ticket Price: â‚ą6-â‚ą50
- Where to Buy Ticket: Registered agents and lottery shops in West Bengal and select states
West Bengal runs daily lotteries with names like Dear Bangalakshmi and Dear Bangasree, each linked to local rivers and places. Tickets are cheap-starting at just â‚ą6-and go up to â‚ą50 for bigger prizes.
Draws are super fair, done with old-school drum machines and full government oversight. You’ll also see special bumper draws during Durga Puja with huge prize money-these are crowd favorites and sell out fast.
And don’t worry-tickets have strong security so no one can copy or fake them.
Online Lotteries
Online lotteries in India are getting popular because you can play anytime from your phone-no need to go to a shop. Games like Lotto India or Kubera Lottery give you a chance to win big with just â‚ą10-â‚ą40.
Here’s a comparison table highlighting the main features of popular Indian online lotteries.
| Feature | Lotto India | Kubera Lottery | WinGo | K3 Lotre | 5D Lotre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Online national lottery | Digital lottery with Indian cultural theme | Fast-paced color or number game | Quick-play number draw game | 5-digit advanced lottery format |
| Ticket Price | â‚ą40 per line | â‚ą10-â‚ą50 (varies by game) | â‚ą10-â‚ą50 | â‚ą10-â‚ą100 | â‚ą10-â‚ą100 |
| Draw Frequency | 2 times a week | Multiple times daily | Every 3-5 minutes | Every 20 minutes | Every 4 hours |
| Prize Pool | â‚ą4 crore+ starting jackpot | â‚ą10 crore+ flagship Prosperity Draw | Up to 95x multiplier | Moderate prizes, sometimes jackpot-style | Big jackpot + smaller fixed payouts |
| Gameplay Format | Pick 6 out of 49 + bonus | Traditional + instant win options | Predict color or number outcome | Pick 1-10 numbers out of 80 | Pick 5 digits (0-9) |
| Platform | Official Lotto India website | Mobile app & website | Private apps and websites | Private gaming centers & online | Private apps and web or terminals |
| Special Features | Pan-India play, bonus ball | Loyalty rewards, divine branding | Referral bonuses, instant gratification | Group play, stats-based strategies | 3D visuals, complex win patterns |
| Legality | Operates in lottery-legal states | Partners with legal states (varies) | Grey zone (not officially licensed) | Grey zone (semi-legal) | Grey zone (limited regulation) |
International Lotteries Accessible Online
Some big international lotteries like US Powerball and EuroMillions can be played online from India through special websites. You just pick your numbers, pay in rupees, and they handle the rest.
Here’s a comparison table of major international lotteries that are accessible online from India through third-party lottery courier or betting platforms:
Feature | Powerball (USA) | Mega Millions (USA) | EuroMillions (Europe) | SuperEnalotto (Italy) | El Gordo (Spain) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot (approx.) | Starts at $20 million (~₹160 Cr) | Starts at $20 million (~₹160 Cr) | Starts at €17 million (~₹150 Cr) | Starts at €2 million (₹17 Cr) | €2.5 billion total (₹22,000 Cr pool) |
| Draw Days | Wed & Sat (morning IST) | Tue & Fri (morning IST) | Tue & Fri (night IST) | Tue, Thu & Sat (night IST) | Once a year (around Dec 22) |
| Ticket Price | â‚ą300-â‚ą400 (approx., online) | â‚ą300-â‚ą400 (approx., online) | â‚ą250-â‚ą350 (approx., online) | â‚ą200-â‚ą300 (approx., online) | â‚ą1,000+ (shared ticket format) |
| Format | Pick 5/69 + 1 Powerball (1/26) | Pick 5/70 + 1 Mega Ball (1/25) | Pick 5/50 + 2 Lucky Stars (1/12) | Pick 6/90 | Raffle-style: pre-printed ticket numbers |
| Special Feature | Power Play multiplier option | Megaplier for boosted wins | Superdraws with huge jackpots | Very hard to win, but huge top prize | World’s biggest lottery by total payout |
| Can Indians Play? | âś… Via online platforms | âś… Via online platforms | âś… Via online platforms | âś… Via online platforms | âś… Via ticket-sharing platforms |
| Claim Method | Through agent or courier website | Through agent or courier website | Through agent or courier website | Through agent or courier website | Shared winnings via syndicate or agent |
Understanding Lottery Game Names and Formats
Number-Based Lotteries
Number-based lotteries represent the most widespread and recognizable lottery format worldwide, requiring players to select specific quantities of numbers from defined ranges with prizes awarded for various matching combinations.
You pick 5-7 numbers from a list (commonly 1-45 through 1-90).
Mathematical probability principles determine winning odds across various matching combinations, with prize structures typically designed to provide frequent small wins alongside rare jackpots. Win if your numbers match the draw. Some have bonus numbers for bigger prizes. People often pick lucky dates or patterns-even if it’s all about luck.
Think of games like Lotto India or Playwin.
Instant Win Lotteries (Scratch Cards)
Instant win lotteries provide immediate result determination through scratch-off mechanisms or digital reveal systems without requiring scheduled drawing processes.
You scratch a card or tap online to see if you win-no waiting. Prizes can be small or huge, and the fun is in the instant thrill. Popular in shops and online apps.
Raffle Lotteries
Raffle lotteries employ fundamentally different mechanics from number-selection formats, issuing sequentially or randomly numbered tickets from fixed-quantity pools with predetermined numbers of winners. This closed-system approach creates guaranteed winner distributions regardless of participation levels.
Here, tickets are pre-numbered, and winners are guaranteed in every draw. You don’t pick numbers; you just wait for your ticket to get picked. Often linked to charity events or festivals, like school fundraisers or Diwali specials.
Why Are Lotteries Popular in India?
The remarkable popularity of lottery games across India stems from a powerful combination of cultural, economic, and psychological factors that resonate deeply with the national psyche.
For many, it’s the dream of becoming rich overnight without needing big money to start or any special skills.
Tickets are cheap, so even folks with tight budgets can try their luck. This financial accessibility stands in stark contrast to other forms of gambling that require substantial bankrolls or ongoing investments to maintain participation.
Lotteries are also part of the culture-people gift them during festivals, buy them for fun, or just for hope. This cultural integration has normalized lottery participation and embedded it within the fabric of everyday life in regions where these games enjoy legal status.