CM Sukhu says HP considers lottery revival to boost revenue and jobs amid past social concerns

The Himachal Pradesh government is considering reintroducing a state‑run lottery as part of efforts to address severe fiscal constraints, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said during the Budget session of the Assembly on Friday. With reduced central assistance, mounting debt and falling revenues, the state is exploring new avenues to raise funds while generating employment.

Responding to questions from BJP MLAs Rakesh Jamwal and Sudhir Sharma, Sukhu noted, “ GST on lottery ticket sales is approximately 40 per cent of the ticket’s face value, and we are losing revenue because of the illegal sale of lottery tickets from other states within Himachal Pradesh.” He added: “ The resumption of the lottery could create employment opportunities as well ,” highlighting job creation alongside revenue generation as key goals.

Himachal Pradesh’s lottery was banned decades ago amid serious social problems linked to gambling. In the 1990s, employees, retirees and daily wage earners increasingly bought lottery tickets, with many reportedly spending large portions of their salaries, savings and pension funds in the hope of winning big. The resulting financial distress contributed to family hardship, debts and, according to critics, cases of houses being auctioned and some individuals taking their own lives due to losses linked to lottery addiction. Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 were invoked to prohibit the sale of lotteries in the state in 1999.

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur reiterated these concerns, saying, “ Lotteries were prohibited because they ruined many families, homes were auctioned off, and several people committed suicide ,” warning that a return of such practices could lead back to past woes.

Despite concerns, Sukhu noted that state‑regulated lotteries in Kerala, Punjab, and Maharashtra operate without major social issues when properly managed. He said any Himachal lottery would include safeguards to prevent addiction and protect vulnerable citizens. Following a Cabinet decision on February 17, 2026, a sub‑committee drafted the Himachal Pradesh Lottery Rules, 2026, and reviewed tender documents, which were approved on March 7, Sukhu said, signaling progress toward implementation. The proposal forms part of the 2026‑27 state budget’s broader fiscal strategy, aimed at addressing revenue shortfalls from withdrawn grants and reduced central compensation amid a debt exceeding ₹1 lakh crore.