I&B Ministry
Kerala government bans online lottery
MUMBAI: The Kerala government has issued a notification banning sale of all kinds of computer and online lottery tickets in the state. The order, which comes into force with immediate effect, asserts the state as a `free zone from online and internet lotteries’.
Prominent online lottery operators in Kerala include Essel group’s Playwin, Martin Group’s Smartwin, DhanDhanaDhan from Forbe’s group, Dhoot Entertainment Network’s V1 online lottery and Apollo International’s Lottus.
When contacted, Playwin CEO Sanjay Das told indiantelevision.com that the company closed all its installations in the state in deference to the notification. He said the company was contemplating its next move.
Kerala is an important market for online lottery operators. Playwin, for instance, used to collect approximately 20 per cent of its total revenue (Rs. 800 – Rs. 900 million per month) from this market. According to an industry insider, the Kerala online lottery market is valued at Rs. 500 million to Rs. 750 million approximately.
Online lottery in the state is now banned using the 5th section of Union Lottery law. Earlier, online lottery operators had obtained a stay from the SC against a High Court Order banning the sale of other state lotteries in the state. Reportedly, the government’s decision now to ban online lottery in the state is based on expert opinion that the SC order is applicable to paper lotteries only.
The Supreme Court had earlier pulled up Kerala government officials for remarks and taking action against on-line and paper lotteries in the state while the matter has been pending before the court and hence sub-judice. It had asked the chief secretary to present himself before the court on 17 January.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
