THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the ban on Sikkim Lotteries is a victory of the state’s long-drawn efforts, it is unlikely to have any effect on the lottery market in the state.Following the state government’s refusal to collect advance sales tax from Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries in 2009, the agents of both the lotteries had allegedly been carrying out illegal trade in the Kerala market.A couple of police cases were also registered in various parts of the state on the illegal two-digit and three-digit draws carried out by some leading agents based on the Sikkim and Bhutan lottery results.The State Lotteries Department had recently cancelled the agency of one of its leading agents after it was found carrying out the illegal trade of other-state lotteries.Some also suspect that the Centre’s move is to give a clean chit to the agents of Sikkim Lotteries.It is also to be noted that the Centre has not taken any such measure against Bhutan Lotteries which is also alleged of violating rules in the state.A solution to the current violations is by strengthening of the Lottery Monitoring Cell which became inactive after the cases related to lottery rule violations were transferred to the CBI. It is learnt that the proposal submitted by the State Lotteries Department is being considered by the Taxes and Home Departments. "The new cell which will have senior-level police officials will help the government clamp down on the illegal trade,’’ said a senior official of the Lotteries Department.The state government had started to put pressure on the Centre for a ban on other-state lotteries as early as in 2004. In 2006, only Bhutan and Sikkim Lotteries applied for sales tax registration in the state. Later, following widespread complaints of violations of Central Lotteries (Regulation) Act, the State Government refused to collect advance sales tax from both the lotteries.
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