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
CBFC speeds up film certification; average approval time cut to 22 days
Over 71,900 films cleared in five years as digital system shortens approval timelines
MUMBAI:Â The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has significantly reduced the time taken to certify films, with the average approval timeline now down to 22 working days for feature films and just three days for short films.
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the statutory body certifies films for public exhibition in line with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The rules prescribe a maximum certification period of 48 working days, though the adoption of the Online Certification System has sharply accelerated the process.
Over the past five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the board certified a total of 71,963 films across formats. Of these, the majority fell under the U category with 41,817 titles, followed by UA with 28,268 films and A with 1,878 films. No films were certified under the S category during the period.
Film approvals have also steadily risen in recent years. The CBFC cleared 8,299 films in 2020-21, a figure that peaked at 18,070 in 2022-23 before settling at 15,444 films in 2024-25. During the same period, 11,064 films were certified with cuts or modifications.
Despite the high volume of certifications, outright refusals remain rare. Only three films were denied certification over the last five years, with one refusal recorded in 2022-23 and two in 2024-25.
The board may recommend cuts or modifications if a film violates statutory parameters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
Filmmakers can challenge CBFC decisions in court. Data shows that such disputes remain limited but have seen some fluctuation. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 21 certification decisions were challenged before High Courts, with the number rising to 10 cases in 2025.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan shared the data. The question was raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
With faster timelines and a largely digital workflow, the certification process appears to be moving at a far brisker pace, signalling a shift towards quicker clearances for India’s growing film output.
