Sports Toto's Special Draw Will Be Less Than Expected
PETALING JAYA (Dec 6): The government's decision of reducing special draws according to number forecast operators (NFO) to eight per year from 22 is likely to impact earnings of Sports Toto Bhd less than was expected. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research said it was not overly concerned because special draws usually have lower sales and often will eat away at sales from regular draws.
Lotteries in India
Lottery revenue is a major part of the budgets of several states. It is also a popular form of entertainment for India's rapidly growing, tech-savvy and mobile-savvy population. This segment is hampered by a number structural barriers that prevent it from expanding. These issues could be solved by addressing taxation issues and pushing for widespread digitalization.
The state-wide legal stance on lotteries varies from permitting lotteries to completely banning them. Some states have a more relaxed position, however the majority are stricter in terms of ticket prices, technology and jackpot size as well as public image. These restrictions hinder the effectiveness of lotteries run by government as well as private lotteries. However, their popularity is maintained due to their low cost and widespread availability, which gives them an advantage over illegal gambling operations and offshore operators.
As the digital boom transforms all other segments of the economy, it's highly likely that the lottery industry will be the same. Digitalization will not only provide new ways to play, but also allow Indian players to purchase tickets. This will impact the offline lottery, a parallel aspect, where a large number of buyers are still accustomed to buying tickets in person at sales points in their local area.
In the past, the lack of a digital infrastructure in India and high cost of internet access impeded the development of the lottery industry in India. Today, 775 million Indians have access to affordable internet access, which has increased their purchasing power and ease of use. This will result in an alteration in the structure of markets with offline and online segments coexisting.
Lottery players will be able to purchase tickets online and to play anywhere in the country. The Consumer Protection Act also provides a legal framework to resolve complaints regarding deceptive advertising and other business practices. This ensures that players won't be exploited by unscrupulous operators.
While the majority of lotteries that are approved by State authorities are run by central government officials, a few States have licensed private companies independent of the government to conduct their draws. Private lotteries are more flexible in the way they price tickets and jackpot size, as well as other parameters, and they might be more appealing to investors from abroad. They also are able to avoid restrictions imposed by state legislation, such as the prohibition of cross-State sales.
Playwin, part of the Essel Group, is licensed to run the Sikkim State Lottery. The company had financial problems after the introduction of GST. 토토 꽁머니 resulted in a decline in ticket sales. The company is currently facing insolvency proceedings. Despite the risk, private lotteries continue to be popular in India especially among the younger players. They can be played on mobile devices, computers, and televisions. The winnings are generally higher than regular lotteries. However, a lot of players are skeptical regarding the security and safety of these platforms. They are also worried about the possibility of their personal information being exposed. The government is working to address these concerns through new regulations and responsible gaming. The act of reporting any suspicious activity could aid the general public.