https://youtu.be/6UraeBCbxcA?si=4-HKvKouKiuUj2sK
Meghalaya’s fully digital lottery—EasyLotter—has hit a legal roadblock, just months after its grand launch. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday confirmed that the project, launched in 2024 with much optimism, is currently stalled due to legal issues.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma admitted he hadn’t been closely monitoring the day-to-day functioning of the lottery, but acknowledged the challenges. “From what I’ve been informed, this was the first of its kind in the country. We were optimistic because of the advanced technology and transparency the platform offered. It had the potential to change the way lotteries function across India,” he said.
However, he noted that the functioning of the lottery had not met the government’s expectations. “With so many complications, there were multiple areas where the system was not operating at the optimum level,” he added.
Sangma revealed that the legal issues primarily stem from disputes among different operators, involving not just Meghalaya but other states as well. “Court cases are ongoing, but we’re hopeful things will be resolved soon. Our intent was to bring in transparency, boost public confidence, and ultimately generate more revenue for the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the complexities surrounding lottery regulations in India, noting that each state has its own set of laws. “It’s a huge sector with varied legal frameworks, which is why these hurdles arose. But we remain optimistic,” he concluded.
EasyLotter, launched with a ticket price of Rs 5,000 and a prize pool of Rs 50 crore, was designed as a fully digital, transparent platform to modernize and reform the lottery industry.
