A provision that would require agents and distributors of state lotteries to provide information relating to lotteries sold and names of winners to Kerala tax agents has been struck down by the state’s High Court, local media reports.
Provisions in the State GST rules also previously allowed tax officials to make a call on whether the lottery was conducted in accordance to the Lotteries Act.
On Friday, Justice A. Muhammed Mustaque held that the government had no legislative competence to formulate such rules, striking down the provisions.
Justice Mustaque’s decision follows a previously filed writ petition by the agents of Mizoram lotteries, which argued that tax officials had no power to decide whether a lottery was conducted in compliance with the Lotteries (Regulation) Act.
The court observed that the police would not be able to act merely based on information given by tax officials when it came to potential breaches of the Act.
Asia Gaming Brief is a news and intelligence service providing up to date market information for worldwide executives on relevant gaming issues in Asia.
ASIA GAMING BRIEF
PO Box 1139, Macau SAR
Tel: +853 2871 7267
Fax: +853 2871 7264