The Journey of Kerala State Lotteries

Kerala, the Gods own country, added another first to its cap in 1967, when a lottery department was set up for the first time in India. The idea came from the then Finance Minister of Kerala, who envisaged revenue from the sale of lotteries as a major source of non-tax revenue for the state, while also providing a stable income source for the poor and the common people. Within no time, the department grew throughout the length and breadth of Kerala by contributing to the needful. It had its first Director, who was also its founder Director. The department, which came into existence on September 1, 1967, released its first lottery ticket on November 1 of the same year. The ticket, valued at Re. 1, carried a first prize of Rs. 50,000. The first draw took place after more than 60 days, on January 26.