Crackdown on Cross-Border Lottery Trade: Karnataka Police Seize Smuggled Kerala Lottery Tickets

Karnataka police seized 1,220 Kerala lottery tickets valued at Rs 72,000 during an illegal transport operation from Kerala to Karnataka. The move is part of intensified actions to prevent unauthorized lottery sales under the Karnataka Lottery Prohibition Act. One person has been detained, and further investigations are ongoing.

In a significant crackdown on the illegal lottery trade, Karnataka police intercepted 1,220 Kerala lottery tickets valued at Rs 72,000, targeted for unlawful resale. This operation took place on Tuesday as law enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle transporting the tickets from Bandadka, Kerala, into Karnataka.

The seized tickets were intended for resale in Sampaje at inflated prices, violating the Karnataka Lottery Prohibition Act. Officials revealed that this seizure is a continuation of efforts to combat the illegal lottery trade, a persistent challenge in border areas.

Karnataka authorities noted the frequent smuggling of Kerala State lottery tickets into the state despite government bans. Increased vigilance along border regions has been implemented to tackle this issue. The individual in possession of the tickets is held in custody, with charges likely under the Karnataka Lottery and Prize Competitions Control and Tax Act. The investigation remains ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)