No online lotteries near schools

The state government will shortly frame guidelines to ban online lotteries from operating near schools, reports Naresh Kamath.

The state government will shortly frame guidelines to ban online lotteries from operating near schools.

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Another proposal is to ban the entry of minors in such lottery shops as a large number of students become addicted to betting on online terminals.

“We will impose restrictions on setting up online lotteries in school areas,” Finance Minister Jayant Patil said in the assembly on Wednesday. “We are currently preparing guidelines in this regard in which all such points will be incorporated.”

School principals welcomed the announcement.

“It is great move and a welcome step,” Abha Dharampal, principal, Utpal Shanghvi School, Juhu, said.

Patil also said he wanted to tax online lotteries.

The issue was raised by Shiv Sena legislator Diwakar Raote, who wanted the state to ban online lotteries, which have an annual turnover of Rs 52 crore. He criticised the government, saying there were no norms to govern such lotteries from other states freely operating in the state.

“They operate with impunity and have no commitment to our state,” he said. “The state should intervene to save our students.”