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 affect earnings of Sports Toto Bhd less than was expected. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research said it wasn't too concerned because special draws usually have lower sales, and frequently cannibalise sales from normal draws.
Lotteries in India
The lottery sector contributes a sizable amount to State budgets. 먹튀검증 is also a very popular form of entertainment among India's rapidly expanding, mobile-savvy, and tech-enabled population. This segment is hampered by a variety of structural obstacles which prevent it from expanding. These issues can be addressed by addressing taxation issues and pushing for widespread digitalization.
The State-level legal stance on lotteries varies from permitting lottery games to banning them completely. While some states have more discretionary policies however, the majority are stifling in regards to ticket prices, technology use, jackpot size, and public image. These constraints affect the success of both government-run and private lotteries. Their popularity continues to increase despite the fact that tickets are inexpensive and readily accessible which gives them an advantage over illegal gambling operations or offshore operators.
As the digital revolution transforms all other sectors of the economy, it's highly likely that the lottery industry will follow suit. Digitization will not only facilitate new ways to play and win, but will also make it easier for Indian players to purchase tickets. This will affect the offline lottery, where the majority of players are still accustomed to buying tickets from local sales points.
In the past, the lack of a national digital infrastructure and the high cost of internet access impeded the growth of the lottery business in India. Today, 750 millions Indians have access to cheap internet and this increases their buying power and ease of use. The result is likely to see a shift in the market's structure with offline and online segments coexisting side-by-side.

Lottery players can now purchase tickets online and play at any time within the country. The Consumer Protection Act also provides a legal framework to resolve complaints about misleading advertisements and other business practices. This ensures that players will not be cheated by fraudulent operators.
While the majority are managed by the central government, a handful of states have licensed private companies to run their draws. Private lotteries are more flexible in the way they price tickets, jackpot sizes, and other factors, and could be more appealing to international investors. They can also avoid restrictions of state-level legislation including the prohibition on 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 difficulties due to the introduction of GST which led to a drop in ticket sales. The company is now in the process of filing for bankruptcy procedures. Private lotteries are still popular in India despite the risks, especially among the younger generation. They can be played from smartphones, computers and televisions, and prizes are usually higher than regular lotteries. Many consumers are concerned about the security and safety offered by these platforms. They are also worried about the risk of their personal data being exposed. The government is working hard to address these concerns with new regulations and responsible gaming. The public can assist by reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.