Overview

• The Centre raised GST on lottery to 40% from 28%, a change Kerala officials say has hit the sector hard.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan estimates a revenue shortfall of ₹3.35 per ticket, totaling about ₹3.35 crore for each draw.
• Kerala is maintaining the ₹50 face value by reducing its operating surplus, agency commissions, discounts, and prize payouts.
• Vijayan says he and Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal asked the GST Council and Union Finance Ministry to avoid the hike, but the pleas were not accepted.
• The Chief Minister reports a slight dip in sales with a minor fall in total prize payouts, and the government is reviewing the agent discount and commission structure.