Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 294A
repealedKeeping lottery office
Whoever keeps any office or place for the purpose of drawing any lottery not being a State lottery or a lottery authorised by the State Government, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
Why this exists
Unregulated private lotteries were historically associated with fraud and exploitation of poorer participants, since organisers controlled the draw and could easily rig outcomes. This section restricts lottery operation to those run or authorised by the government, which are subject to oversight and rules, while criminalising unauthorised private lottery operations. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this offence continues under a renumbered section.