Karwar, August 25, 2025 – In compliance with the Karnataka State Lottery Regulation Act, 1998, and government directives, a Flying Squad has been established in Uttara Kannada district to address illegal lottery and matka activities. Chaired by District Collector K. Lakshmipriya, the squad includes the District Superintendent of Police, the Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Enforcement), Sirsi, and the Assistant Director of Pension, Small Savings, and Asset-Liability Management, Karwar.

The initiative targets unauthorized activities such as printing, selling, or purchasing lottery tickets under the guise of development schemes, prize programs, or festival events, which are deemed criminal offenses. Inter-state lottery ticket transactions and matka gambling are also prohibited. The public is urged to report any such activities to the nearest police station immediately. Instructions have been issued to the police department to take strict action against violators.

District Collector K. Lakshmipriya emphasized that citizens, printers, vendors, and buyers must exercise caution and avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes. Media outlets, including newspapers and visual media, are warned against publishing results of unauthorized lottery draws, as doing so would constitute abetting illegal activities. The public and stakeholders are requested to promptly report any illicit activities to the police or relevant authorities to ensure effective enforcement, as stated in a press release by K. Lakshmipriya, Chairperson of the Flying Squad for Controlling Unauthorized Lottery and Matka Activities.