How to Play Dear Lottery

Dear Lottery is an official state lottery operated by the Nagaland Government. This guide covers everything you need to know before playing, including where to buy tickets, how the draws work, and how to claim prizes.

What is Dear Lottery?

Dear Lottery is the brand name for daily lottery draws conducted by Nagaland State Lotteries. The Nagaland Government has been running lotteries for several decades, making it one of the most established lottery systems in India.

Step 1: Find an Authorized Dealer

Dear Lottery tickets are sold only through authorized dealers registered with the Nagaland State Lottery Department. These dealers have official registration certificates displayed at their counters.

How to identify authorized dealers:

• Look for the official Nagaland State Lottery registration certificate
• Check for printed price lists showing current series and draws
• Authorized dealers will provide official printed tickets with security features

Step 2: Choose Your Draw

Dear Lottery has three draws every day. Each draw has a different series name that changes daily:

• 1 PM Draw (Morning): Results announced around 1:25 PM
• 6 PM Draw (Evening): Results announced around 6:25 PM
• 8 PM Draw (Night): Results announced around 8:25 PM

Tell the dealer which draw you want to participate in. You can buy tickets for any upcoming draw.

Step 3: Get Your Ticket

Each ticket has a 6-digit number printed on it. This is your lottery number. Keep the ticket safe because you will need the original to claim any prize.

Check your ticket before leaving the dealer counter. Make sure:

• The draw date and time are correct
• The series name matches what you wanted
• The ticket number is clearly printed
• The ticket is not torn or damaged

Step 4: Wait for the Draw

Draws happen at the scheduled times every day. Results are announced within about 25-30 minutes after the draw time and published on official websites.

You can check results at:

• Dear Lottery Result Today (this website - updated daily)
• Lottery Sambad newspaper (printed daily)
• Official Nagaland State Lottery website
• Authorized dealers (they receive printed result sheets)

Step 5: Check Your Numbers

Compare your ticket number with the winning numbers. Dear Lottery has multiple prize tiers, so even partial matches can win smaller prizes.

Prize Structure

Prize amounts can vary by series, but here is a typical structure for a ₹6 ticket:

Note: Actual prizes may differ. Check the official result sheet for exact amounts for each draw.

How to Claim a Prize

Small Prizes (Up to ₹10,000)

You can usually claim these at authorized dealers. Bring your original ticket and a valid ID. The dealer will verify the ticket and pay you in cash.

Larger Prizes (Above ₹10,000)

For bigger prizes, you need to visit an official prize claim center. Here is what you need:

• Original winning ticket (mandatory)
• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID)
• PAN Card (required for tax purposes)
• Filled prize claim form (available at the center)

Tax on Winnings

Lottery winnings are taxable in India:

• Prizes below ₹10,000: No tax deducted at source
• Prizes ₹10,000 and above: 30% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source)
• You must declare lottery winnings in your income tax return

Important Rules

• You must be 18 years or older to play
• Only original tickets are valid for claiming prizes
• Lost or damaged tickets cannot be replaced
• Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of the draw (check specific rules)
• Tickets bought from unauthorized sources are void

Play Responsibly

Lottery games are a form of gambling and involve real financial risk. There is no guaranteed way to win. Most people who play do not win. Before you play, consider these points:

• Only spend money you can afford to lose
• Set a fixed budget and do not exceed it
• Never borrow money to buy lottery tickets
• Do not chase losses by buying more tickets
• Lottery should be entertainment, not a way to make money

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy tickets online?

No, there is no official online system for buying Dear Lottery tickets. You must buy from authorized physical dealers. Be cautious of websites claiming to sell tickets online.

What if I lose my ticket?

You cannot claim a prize without the original ticket. Always store your ticket in a safe place immediately after purchase.

Are there any winning strategies?

No. Lottery draws are random. No strategy, pattern, or lucky number can predict results. Anyone claiming to have a winning system is misleading you.

How do I know if a dealer is authorized?

Authorized dealers display their registration certificate from the Nagaland State Lottery Department. If you are unsure, ask to see their certificate before buying.