The Royal Bhutan Lottery Limited (RBLL) is in the process of submitting an appeal to the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) seeking intervention to block six foreign lottery websites that are operating using Bhutan Lottery brand.

RBLL would ask the media authority to block these websites in the country so that Bhutanese lottery buyers are not confused.

RBLL had initially appealed to the Phuentsholing dungkhag court. However, the court has asked the lottery office to submit the petition to BICMA.

The six lotteries are bhutanluckylottery.com, bhutanstatelottery.com, lotterybhutan.com, bhutanstatelotteries.com, luckydailybumper.com, and bhutanlottery.in

All these lotteries use Bhutan lottery brand.

RBLL’s marketing manager, Karma Choden, said although these lotteries do not distress the current RBLL lottery and its results, it is creating confusion among people. “Their draw coincides with ours and it confuses buyers.”

She said that except for few queries there has not been a problem so far. “The lotteries are not functioning to create a problem for RBLL but they are using Bhutan’s goodwill to their advantage.”

RBLL’s information and technology (IT) officials are also trying to trace the location of the lottery offices and from where they are operating.

RBLL’s lawyer, Yeshey Choden, said they went to the court in Phuentsholing.

“We have been advised to submit the appeal to BICMA,” she said.

Meanwhile, just as the first Phuensum Dharim draw was being conducted last year in December, the results of Bhutan Lucky Lottery were also doing the rounds on social media.

RBLL officials say that although the lotteries might not pose problems as of now since RBLL operates in the domestic market, there will be issues when it expands into the international market.

RBLL would launch the instant lottery by fall this year.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

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