Private lottery distributors run out of luck post GST

In a bid to dissuade what is seen as a social evil, but at the same time not lose out on revenues, dual tax rates were fixed on one of the most controversial items—lottery tickets—by the goods and services tax (GST) Council. Under the new tax regime, state-run lotteries, which do not have private distributors or marketing agents, attract 12% tax, while those operated by private distributors fall u…