Beyond Prohibition: Reimagining Lottery Governance and Fiscal Accountability in India

However, the ethical dimension cannot be ignored. The 'regressive' nature of lottery taxation—where the burden falls disproportionately on the poor—poses a challenge to the principles of inclusive growth. Policymakers must balance the need for revenue mobilization with the duty to protect vulnerable sections of society from predatory practices. An accountable regulatory model must therefore include robust consumer protection mechanisms, such as limits on ticket purchases and mandatory awareness campaigns regarding the risks of gambling. Ultimately, the shift from prohibition to regulation requires a delicate balance between state fiscal interests and the moral imperative to safeguard public welfare, necessitating a comprehensive legislative framework that prioritizes transparency and social responsibility over mere revenue generation. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper II (Governance and Policy) and GS Paper IV (Ethics in Public Administration). Aspirants can use this to discuss the 'prohibition vs. regulation' dilemma in public policy, the ethics of state-sponsored revenue generation, and the challenges of implementing effective regulatory frameworks in a federal structure.