Anurag Thakur Urges Himachal CM to Withdraw Lottery Tender

Says Two-Decade Consensus Against Lotteries Must Be Protected; Proposes GST Reforms to Boost Revenue

New Delhi, August 26, 2026: Former Union Cabinet Minister and MP Anurag Singh Thakur has written to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging the state government to immediately withdraw the Finance Department’s tender for reintroducing state-run lotteries in Himachal Pradesh.

Referring to e-tender 2026_DTAL_141511_1 for the appointment of a sole selling agent for an online and offline lottery system, Thakur urged the government to abandon the proposal, stating that lotteries should not be revived in the state.

In his letter, Thakur highlighted the political consensus that has kept lotteries prohibited in Himachal Pradesh for more than two decades. He recalled that the government led by Prem Kumar Dhumal imposed the ban in 1999 following concerns over its impact on employees, pensioners, labourers and youth. He further noted that the Congress government led by the late Virbhadra Singh reimposed the ban in 2007 when lotteries were brought back.

Thakur said successive governments, including those led by Virbhadra Singh, Prem Kumar Dhumal and Jai Ram Thakur, maintained the prohibition despite financial pressures, reflecting the experiences and concerns of people across the state.

Expressing concern over the social implications of the proposed lottery system, Thakur said families could face financial distress through the loss of salaries, savings and pensions. He expressed particular concern over the proposed online system, which reportedly provides for up to 12 draws a day and three annual bumper draws, potentially making lottery gambling accessible through smartphones and homes.

He also referred to the constitutional emphasis on public welfare and protection from harmful practices under Articles 38 and 47, urging the state government to consider the wider social consequences of the proposal.

On the state’s financial position, Thakur said Himachal Pradesh’s debt had reached ₹1,10,010 crore in 2026, with the debt-to-GSDP ratio exceeding 42%. He argued that lotteries would not provide a meaningful solution to the state’s fiscal challenges.

Thakur said the proposed lottery is projected to generate around ₹100 crore annually, while gross lottery collections can translate into significantly lower net revenue after accounting for prize payouts, commissions, advertising and administrative expenses. Citing the experience of Kerala, he questioned the sustainability of relying on lotteries as a source of state revenue.

Instead, Thakur suggested strengthening GST compliance and digital integration, stating that these measures could potentially generate an additional ₹250–350 crore annually without the social costs associated with lotteries.

He urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to annul the tender and pursue sustainable fiscal reforms while preserving Himachal Pradesh’s long-standing policy against lotteries.