India: Authorities launch tender for a sole sales agent as the state prepares to restart its lottery after nearly 25 years
The government of Himachal Pradesh is taking steps to bring its state lottery back to the market after an absence of almost 25 years, with authorities now looking for a single operator to manage ticket sales and distribution.
The tender has been issued by the state’s Directorate of Treasuries, Accounts and Lotteries. The successful bidder will operate the lottery under India’s national lottery legislation, the 2026 Himachal Pradesh State Lottery Rules and other applicable regulations.
Significant financial requirements
The opportunity comes with substantial financial commitments for potential bidders. Companies must pay a non-refundable tender fee of INR 500,000, while an earnest money deposit of INR 20 million is also required.
The appointed agent will then be required to pay an annual licence fee of INR 100 million, with the amount increasing by 5% each year.
In addition, the operator will contribute a share of revenue based on its successful bid, subject to a minimum guaranteed payment of INR 60 million.
Only one company will be selected under the tender process.
Physical and online tickets planned
The revived lottery is expected to combine traditional retail sales with digital distribution. Tickets will be available in both paper and online formats, with the selected agent responsible for building a network of agents, sub-agents and retailers.
The operator will also have to establish a dedicated special-purpose vehicle (SPV) to run the lottery and ensure that its operations comply with the government agreement and applicable legislation.
Physical lottery tickets will be required to carry several identification and security details, including the state government logo, the director’s facsimile signature, ticket number, draw date and time, and maximum retail price.
Lottery format still to be decided
Authorities have not yet announced a fixed schedule for draws, ticket prices or prize structures. These details will be determined separately for each lottery scheme once the operating arrangements are in place.
The tender therefore represents the first major step towards the lottery’s return, with the government now seeking a commercial partner capable of managing distribution across both physical and digital channels.
If the process moves forward as planned, Himachal Pradesh could soon re-enter India’s state lottery market with a model designed to combine its traditional retail network with online sales.