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Anurag Thakur Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Himachal Lottery Tender, Raises Concerns Over Online Draws
SEO Title: Anurag Thakur Urges Sukhu to Withdraw Himachal Lottery Tender, Flags Online Gambling Concerns
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Anurag Thakur Opposes Himachal Lottery Tender
Shimla/New Delhi, August 27, 2026: BJP MP and former Union minister Anurag Thakur has urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to immediately withdraw the state government’s lottery tender.
Thakur has opposed the proposed return of state-run lotteries in Himachal Pradesh. He has also raised concerns about the proposed online lottery system.
The Finance Department issued an e-tender on August 19 to appoint a sole selling agent for an online and offline lottery system. The move would bring state-run lotteries back to Himachal Pradesh after nearly 25 years.
Thakur wrote to CM Sukhu and asked the government to abandon the proposal altogether. He argued that the decision could have wider social consequences for families across the state.
Anurag Thakur Cites Himachal’s Long-Standing Lottery Ban
Thakur pointed to what he described as a rare political consensus against lotteries in Himachal Pradesh.
According to his letter, the government led by former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal imposed a lottery ban in 1999. He said the decision followed concerns over the impact of lotteries on employees, pensioners, labourers and young people.
The ban was imposed again in 2007 when lotteries returned under the Congress government led by the late Virbhadra Singh.
Thakur also referred to the tenure of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said successive governments maintained the prohibition despite financial pressures.
His argument is that the ban was not simply a political position. He described it as a decision shaped by the experiences of people in the state.
Concern Over Online Lottery Draws
The BJP MP has particularly objected to the proposed online format.
Thakur said the system could permit up to 12 draws a day, along with three annual bumper draws. He argued that this could make lottery gambling more accessible through smartphones and homes.
He also warned about the potential effect on lower- and middle-income households.
His broader concern is that moving lottery sales online could make participation easier than a conventional ticket-based system. He has therefore urged the state government to reconsider the proposal before proceeding further.
Thakur Raises Social Concerns
In his letter, Thakur referred to the financial difficulties that some families had experienced through lottery gambling.
He claimed that salaries, savings and pensions had previously been lost by families involved in lottery gambling. He argued that reviving the system could create additional financial pressure on vulnerable households.
Thakur also referred to Articles 38 and 47 of the Constitution while making his case for prioritising public welfare and protection from harmful practices.
Himachal’s Financial Crisis Also Part of the Debate
The lottery proposal comes as Himachal Pradesh faces significant fiscal pressure.
Thakur cited state debt of around ₹1.10 lakh crore in 2026 and a debt-to-GSDP ratio above 42 per cent. He argued that the expected revenue from lotteries would not provide a meaningful long-term solution to the state’s financial challenges.
According to Thakur, the proposed lottery system could generate approximately ₹100 crore annually.
He also referred to the experience of Kerala, arguing that gross lottery sales do not automatically translate into equivalent net revenue. Prize payouts, commissions, advertising and administrative expenses can reduce the amount ultimately available to the government.
Anurag Thakur Suggests Alternative Revenue Measures
Rather than relying on lotteries, Thakur suggested improving GST compliance and strengthening digital integration.
He claimed these measures could potentially generate an additional ₹250 crore to ₹350 crore annually, according to estimates cited in his letter.
His position is that Himachal Pradesh should focus on sustainable fiscal reforms instead of introducing a revenue source that could carry social costs.
Himachal Lottery Tender: What Happens Next?
The immediate issue now is whether the Himachal Pradesh government will reconsider the tender following Thakur’s appeal.
The state government had invited bids to appoint a sole agent for lottery ticket sales. Reports say the tender document runs to 51 pages, while interested parties were required to submit a non-refundable tender fee of ₹5 lakh.
The dispute has therefore placed the proposed revival of lotteries at the centre of a political and public policy debate.
For Thakur, the key issue is not simply potential revenue. He wants the government to retain Himachal Pradesh’s long-standing position against lotteries.
Key Points
- Anurag Thakur has urged CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to withdraw the lottery tender.
- Himachal Pradesh issued the tender on August 19, 2026.
- The proposal involves both online and offline lottery systems.
- Thakur has raised concerns about the proposed frequency of online draws.
- He cited Himachal’s lottery bans in 1999 and 2007.
- He argued that lottery revenue would not solve the state’s wider fiscal problems.
- Thakur suggested stronger GST compliance and digital integration as alternatives.
- The Himachal government has yet to indicate whether it will withdraw the tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Anurag Thakur opposing the Himachal lottery tender?
Thakur says the proposed lottery could create social and financial problems. He is particularly concerned about the accessibility of online lottery draws.
When was the Himachal lottery tender issued?
The Himachal Pradesh government issued the e-tender on August 19, 2026, to appoint a sole agent for lottery sales.
What is the main concern about the online lottery system?
Thakur has highlighted the proposed frequency of draws. He says online access could bring lottery gambling directly to smartphones and homes.
Why does Thakur mention previous Himachal governments?
He says governments led by Prem Kumar Dhumal, Virbhadra Singh and Jai Ram Thakur maintained the lottery prohibition despite fiscal pressures.
What alternatives has Thakur suggested?
He has suggested improving GST compliance and using digital integration to strengthen state revenues.
Has the Himachal government withdrawn the tender?
The reports available as of August 27, 2026, describe Thakur’s demand for withdrawal. They do not report that the tender has already been cancelled.
Disclaimer: This report is based on statements attributed to Anurag Thakur and reports published on August 26–27, 2026. Claims about projected revenue and the social impact of lotteries are presented as claims made by Thakur, rather than independently established facts.Useful source links for editorial verification: [Hindustan Times report](https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/anurag-writes-to-sukhu-demands-immediate-withdrawal-of-lottery-tender-101787768155397.html?utmsource=chatgpt.com) · [Times of India report](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/anurag-thakur-urges-himachal-cm-to-withdraw-lottery-tender/amparticleshow/133550303.cms?utmsource=chatgpt.com) · [The Tribune report](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/withdraw-lottery-tender-ex-minister-anurag-thakur-urges-himachal-cm-sukhu/amp?utmsource=chatgpt.com) · [Himachal Pradesh Rajpatra notification](https://rajpatra.hp.gov.in/OPENFILE1.aspx?ID=49%2FGAZETTE%2F2026-04%2F06%2F2026+&etype=SPECIAL&utm_source=chatgpt.com)