MUMBAI: Within a fortnight, Kerala government has backtracked its decision on the lottery ban. However, the government has stated that the ban on online lotteries, which have been brought under the purview of Gambling Act, will continue.

Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said his government had written to the Centre requesting more powers to States under the Lotteries Regulation Act 1998. Chandy did not give any specific date for the resumption of the lotteries.

The government had banned all kinds of lotteries in January this year. The move had invited harsh criticism from all sections of the society. Even the ruling party members have come out in the open criticising the decision