India’s Kerala boosts daily lottery jackpot to $120,000; hikes ticket price
The government of Kerala, a state in southern India renowned for its pioneering state-run lottery, has introduced significant changes to its daily lottery system. Key changes include a much larger top prize, a higher ticket price, more overall winners, and adjusted draw timings, effective immediately for upcoming draws.
New ₹1 crore top prize and ticket price adjustment
The first prize for the regular weekly lotteries has been increased to a substantial ₹1 crore (approximately $120,000), representing a potentially life-altering amount for winners.
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This enhancement comes alongside an increase in the cost of entry. The price of a single lottery ticket for these regular draws has been raised from ₹40 to ₹50 (about $0.60). The final draw using the older ₹40 tickets concluded on Tuesday, 29 April 2025. It’s crucial to understand that this overhaul affects the regular daily and weekly lotteries; the special, high-value “bumper” lotteries held periodically remain unaffected by these specific prize and price changes.
More prizes, new timings
The government of Kerala is also enhancing the total prizes given out daily, apart from the top headline jackpot. The number of winning tickets distributed every day will increase more than twofold, from about 3 lakh (300,000) to 6.5 lakh (650,000). This is meant to share winnings with more participants.
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There is also a shift in the daily draw frequency. Effective from 2 May 2025, the draws will be held one hour earlier, moving from 3:00 PM IST to 2:00 PM IST. Tickets for the Suvarna Keralam lottery, scheduled for 2 May 2025, are now available, reflecting the new structure and timing.
The second and third prize tiers have also been revised for the specific lotteries drawn each day of the week. Here’s a breakdown:
- Sunday (Samriddhi Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹75 lakh (approx. $90,000); 3rd Prize: ₹25 lakh (approx. $30,000).
- Monday (Bhagyathara Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹75 lakh; 3rd Prize: ₹1 lakh (approx. $1,200) each for 12 tickets.
- Tuesday (Streesakthi Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹40 lakh (approx. $48,000); 3rd Prize: ₹25 lakh.
- Wednesday (Dhanalakshmi Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹50 lakh (approx. $60,000); 3rd Prize: ₹20 lakh (approx. $24,000).
- Thursday (Karunya Plus Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹50 lakh; 3rd Prize: ₹5 lakh (approx. $6,000) each for 12 tickets.
- Friday (Suvarna Keralam Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹30 lakh (approx. $36,000); 3rd Prize: ₹25 lakh.
- Saturday (Karunya Lottery): 2nd Prize: ₹50 lakh; 3rd Prize: ₹5 lakh.
Numerous smaller prizes, ranging from ₹5,000 (approx. $60) down to ₹50 (the cost of a ticket), will also continue to be awarded daily.
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Kerala’s unique lottery system
The state-regulated lottery system in Kerala is more than just about prizes; it is deeply embedded in the state’s socio-economic fabric. Established in 1967, it was India’s first government-operated lottery system.
Its primary goal was, and remains, to generate non-tax revenue directly channelled into funding state development and crucial social welfare programmes. It also provides livelihoods for a large network of authorised agents and vendors across Kerala.
