Lotteries are highly popular in India, enjoying legal status in 13 out of the 28 states, including the erstwhile commercial hub of the country, West Bengal. With the latter having a long history of running lotteries dating back to the 1960s, this guide will cover how to enter an online lottery in West Bengal, the state’s lottery laws, as well as other important aspects.
Top 5 West Bengal Lottery Sites in 2023
1.
Can be used in multiple languages
Accepts cryptocurrencies and UPI
2.
24x7 customer support
Instant payment processing
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Uses 128-bit SSL security layer for safe payment
Offers tools for responsible gambling
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Live chat support available
Proactive assistance for lottery winners
5.
Live sports betting available
Hindi version of the website available
Is Entering an Online Lottery Legal in West Bengal?
The answer to this question is not that simple, but we’ll break it down anyway to the best of our abilities.
West Bengal legalised lotteries in 1968 to regulate the burgeoning industry right from the outset. However, this only applied to physical lottery tickets sold by the state and its authorised retail agents.
In 2013, though, the state banned India-based online lotteries, which at the time was a bit of a shock. Thankfully, the ban did not cover international online lotteries, making them safe to access for players across the state.
West Bengal Lottery Laws
At present, the lottery space is regulated by the Lottery Regulation Act 1998 and the West Bengal Lottery Rules 1968. The state conducts daily and weekly draws, as well as annual draws on festive occasions like Diwali, New Year, and Christmas.
DEAR Lottery
DEAR lottery is one of the largest lottery organisers in India, having already clocked a turnover of over $2 billion. It manages the offline ticket distribution channels for several state governments, like Nagaland, West Bengal, and Sikkim. DEAR organises three daily draws, and also organises special draws on festive occasions.
So far, the DEAR lottery winners list has seen 1,518 crorepati winners and 150 lakhpati winners, further underlining the wide reach and reliability of the lottery.
Top Online Lotteries in West Bengal
There are several international sites that offer a wide selection of international lotteries for players looking to enter an online lottery in West Bengal. Remember that although India-based lotteries are banned online, there is no such explicit rule for lotteries offshore. So, feel free to go ahead and try your luck!
Here are some of the most popular international lotteries available in West Bengal:
1. Powerball
Established in 1992, US Powerball is perhaps the most popular lottery worldwide, having set a record by paying out the largest jackpot in history valued $1.586 billion in 2016.
- Draw days: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
- Minimum jackpot: $40 million (₹300 crores approx.)
- Odds of winning a prize: 1 in 24.9
2. MegaMillions
Started soon after Powerball, MegaMillions was launched in 1996 and saw its highest jackpot in 2018, when a player won $1.537 billion. It also has an attractive second-tier prize structure, starting at $5 million.
- Draws days: Tuesday and Friday
- Minimum jackpot: $40 million (₹300 crores approx.)
- Odds of winning a prize: 1 in 24
3. EuroMillions
Started in 2002, EuroMillions is one of the leading lottery sites in Europe, offering a maximum jackpot size of €230 million. The highest jackpot so far was €220 million, won by an individual from Europe in 2021.
- Draw days: Tuesday and Friday
- Minimum jackpot: €17 million (₹142.63 crores approx.)
- Odds of winning a prize: 1 in 13
4. SuperEnalotto
SuperEnalotto was started in Italy way back in 1997, and has since then spread its reach across the world. A new variation named SuperEna Max was launched in 2014, and paid out its highest jackpot of €209.1 million in 2019.
- Draw days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Minimum jackpot: €2 million
- Odds of winning a prize: 1 in 16
5. EuroJackpot
Another popular lottery from the European region, EuroJackpot was started in 2012. This lottery had a maximum jackpot cap of €90 million, which increased to €120 million in March 2022. The new cap saw its biggest ever jackpot in May 2022, when a player from Germany won €110 million.
- Draw days: Friday at 21:00 Hrs EET (Saturday in India at 00:30 Hrs)
- Minimum jackpot: €10 million (₹84 crores approx.)
- Odds of winning a prize: 1 in 26
Benefits of Entering an Online Lottery in West Bengal
1. Wider range of options
The increased availability of online lotteries has revolutionised the lottery space in several ways. Not only has it made easy for lottery makers to reach a wider audience, but it has also opened up doors to almost every major lottery in the world.
Lottery websites like Jackpot.com, Lottoland and Lotto247 give you a choice to select from among dozens of lotteries from across the world. This is not possible with land-based outlets, where your choice is limited to the few lotteries promoted by the agent.
2. Added convenience
Online lottery websites present the number and rules in a transparent manner, making it easy to select your combination and confirm the final draw. Several sites also allow you to analyse previous draw results and select your numbers accordingly.
3. Easier claim settlement
In case of offline lotteries, you are required to present your physical lottery ticket within a certain time frame to claim your prize. If you lose the ticket, you are not entitled to even a penny of your winnings.
This is not the case with online lotteries. Your online ticket is saved in your profile, and most operators even proactively reach out to you via email or chat to process any payouts you are due.
How to Enter an Online Lottery in West Bengal
Physical West Bengal lottery tickets can only be purchased from government-authorised lottery agents. Buying online lottery tickets based in India is completely banned in the state, though. So, the only option to enter an online lottery in West Bengal is to go for international lotteries, some of which we have mentioned above.
How to Buy Online Lottery Tickets in West Bengal
Below are the general steps to purchasing online lottery tickets in West Bengal. However, before you proceed to buy tickets from any website, make sure it is a legitimate site based out of India, as otherwise, you will be flouting West Bengal lottery laws.
Step 1: Go through our list above and select an online lottery site to your liking.
Step 2: Sign up by providing the requested information such as your full name, date of birth, and contact details.
Step 3: Deposit funds into your lottery wallet.
Step 4: Check out the list of online lotteries available.
Step 5: Choose a lottery to enter and select a number combination.
Step 6: Confirm the combination and purchase your lottery ticket.
Online Lottery West Bengal India Final Say
While yes, you cannot enter West Bengal lotteries online without the risk of violating local laws, you can still access amazingly lucrative and rewarding international online lotteries instead. We suggest you start off with small stakes, and once you are confident enough, try taking bigger risks – but always remember to bet responsibly!
West Bengal Online Lottery FAQs
- Which are the best online lottery sites in West Bengal?
Offering tight security, user-friendly interfaces, and a wide variety of lotteries to choose from, we consider Lotto247, Lottoland, and LottoAgent as the best online lottery sites available in West Bengal. - Can I buy tickets for DEAR lottery online?
DEAR lottery tickets are only available through physical shops owned by authorised lottery agents. - Is Lottoland legal in West Bengal?
West Bengal has not imposed any ban on foreign lottery sites such as Lottoland. You can safely play on these sites as they are not expressly declared illegal. - Is there any age criterion to enter a lottery in West Bengal?
Yes. All players must be at least 18 years old to enter a lottery in West Bengal. - Are lottery winnings taxable in India?
Yes. Winnings from lottery are liable to income tax in India. For information on the exact tax rates, please contact a professional tax consultant.