Kerala Lottery vs Lottery Sambad (2025-2026): Legality, Taxes, Prize Claims & Payouts Explained

If you’ve ever searched for “Kerala Lottery result” and “Lottery Sambad Dear result” and wondered whether they are the same thing—the answer is no. They are different state-run lottery ecosystems in India with distinct regulators, naming, schedules, and claim procedures. This guide explains the differences clearly and safely, emphasizing finance aspects—TDS 30%, PAN/KYC, GST on the ticket supply side, and how to plan your net payout.

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1) Who runs what? (Regulators & naming)

• Kerala Lottery (Kerala State Lotteries)
  Run by the Government of Kerala. Weekly schemes include Bhagyathara, Sthree Sakthi, Dhanalekshmi, Karunya Plus, Suvarna Keralam, Karunya, Samrudhi and periodic Bumper draws (e.g., Vishu/Onam). Branding, prize structures, and official PDFs are issued by the Directorate of State Lotteries, Kerala.
• Lottery Sambad (the “DEAR” series)
  Commonly associated with Nagaland State Lotteries (and at times other northeastern states that run their own schemes). The “DEAR” brand appears in weekly/daily draw names such as Dear Morning/Day/Evening or animal/bird names (e.g., Dear Hawk, Dear Ostrich), and seller/sub-stockist details are printed on the official sheet. Official PDFs come from the respective state’s lottery directorate (often Nagaland for the DEAR series).

Key takeaway: Both are state-run, but Kerala ≠ Sambad. Treat them as separate authorities, separate claims, and separate official PDFs.

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2) Ticket purchase & online myths

• Kerala: Tickets are sold offline through authorized retailers/agents in Kerala. Online sales are not permitted under state rules.
• Sambad/DEAR: Also primarily paper tickets distributed via authorized networks; beware of websites claiming “official online” unless a state explicitly announces it.

Finance risk tip: Buying from unauthorized portals can void your win. For safe payout, your purchase must match state rules and claim routing.

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3) Result publication & verification

• Kerala: Results are announced daily at Gorky Bhavan (near Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram), with official PDFs on the Kerala directorate channels.
• Sambad/DEAR: Results are published on the state’s official PDF/result sheet (e.g., Nagaland). Posters often carry seller and sub-stockist names and a long 5th-prize grid.

Verification rules for both:

1. Match series + ticket number exactly in the official PDF.
2. Watch for revised/corrected PDFs.
3. Keep a copy of the PDF for claim and audit.

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4) Prize structures (how they typically look)

• Kerala: A traditional ladder: 1st Prize, Consolation, then 2nd → 9th (amounts vary by scheme; bumpers are bigger).
• Sambad/DEAR: 1st prize (₹1 Crore often printed on posters), Consolation for same number in other series, 2nd/3rd/4th with 10 winners each, and a large 5th prize table (hundreds of 4-digit numbers). Seller/Sub-stockist prize lines are printed on many sheets.

Don’t generalize amounts across states/schemes; always check the day’s official PDF.

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5) Claims & documents (what both have in common)

• Deadline: Usually 30 days from the draw date (check the PDF).
• Where to claim: Smaller prizes via agents/district offices; higher prizes at the Directorate or specified banks/offices.
• Documents: Original winning ticket (signed on the back), PAN, govt ID, photos, bank details (passbook/cancelled cheque), and the claim form.
• For DEAR sheets: Seller/sub-stockist details are for distribution attribution; your winner claim still goes by Directorate rules.

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6) Taxes that hit your wallet (finance section)

• TDS on winners: Under Section 194B, 30% TDS is deducted on eligible winnings (generally above ₹10,000).
• Income-tax on lottery income: Section 115BB taxes lottery income at a flat 30% (plus surcharge/cess as applicable). No slab/80C benefits.
• GST: Applies to the supply of lottery tickets (organizer/retailer side). It influences ticket pricing, prize mix, and agent commissions, not the statutory TDS 30% deducted from your prize.
• Your net payout: Always plan on Prize − TDS. Keep the TDS certificate (Form 16A) to reconcile in your ITR.

Practical finance tip: Build your budget around net proceeds after TDS, not the headline prize.

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7) Side-by-side comparison (quick scan)

Dimension	Kerala Lottery	Lottery Sambad (DEAR)
Regulator	Govt. of Kerala (Directorate of State Lotteries)	Respective state (commonly Nagaland Directorate for DEAR series)
Branding	Weekly names: Bhagyathara, Sthree Sakthi, etc.; plus Bumper draws	“DEAR” brand with weekly/day-part names; often animal/bird titles
Ticket Sales	Offline only, authorized retailers in Kerala	Offline, authorized networks; avoid unofficial online
Results	Official Kerala PDFs; venue: Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram	Official state PDFs/posters with seller/sub-stockist details
Prize Ladder	Multiple tiers (1st → 9th); bumpers have larger payouts	1st prize, Consolation (same number other series), 2nd–4th (10 each), big 5th grid
Claim	Retailer/District/Directorate as per PDF	Agent/District/Directorate as per PDF
Tax for Winners	TDS 30% (Sec. 194B); Income-tax 30% (Sec. 115BB)	Same
KYC	PAN/ID mandatory for higher prizes	Same
Risk Points	Fake PDFs/screenshots; resellers pretending online	Unofficial “online” portals; altered posters

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8) Smart buyer checklist (finance & compliance)

• Buy only from authorized retailers.
• Keep ticket clean, unlaminated, signed on back.
• Verify series + number in official PDF only.
• File claims within 30 days; don’t miss the window.
• Carry PAN/KYC and collect your TDS certificate.
• If a corrected PDF appears, use the latest one.

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FAQs — Kerala vs Sambad (DEAR)

Q1. Are Kerala Lottery and Lottery Sambad the same?
No. They are different state-run systems with separate authorities and documents.

Q2. Can I buy Kerala or DEAR tickets online?
Generally no. Both are paper ticket ecosystems. Avoid third-party portals unless a state officially announces online issuance.

Q3. Why do DEAR sheets show seller/sub-stockist names?
They reflect the distribution network. Your winner claim still follows the Directorate’s rules and forms.

Q4. How much tax will I pay if I win?
Expect TDS 30% on eligible winnings (Sec. 194B). Lottery income is taxed at 30% flat (Sec. 115BB). Plan for your net payout.

Q5. Which pays more—Kerala or DEAR?
Prize ladders vary by scheme/day/bumper. Always read the official PDF for that draw.

Q6. Where are Kerala results announced?
At Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram, and on the official PDF channels.

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Conclusion

Kerala Lottery and Lottery Sambad (DEAR) are not the same—they’re separate state-run lotteries with their own brands, schedules, and claim rules. The finance side, however, is similar: TDS 30%, PAN/KYC, ITR reconciliation, and careful verification using the official PDF. If you play, play legally and smartly—stick to authorized retailers, confirm results from official sources, and budget based on your net proceeds.