With online lottery becoming rampant in the country besides many notifications from the police and the Department of Law and Order, police will now take strict action against it in accordance with the Penal Code of Bhutan. While some issues did arise in the past, the organisers of such games were only warned and no action was taken against them.
Shillong Teer, an online lottery is one of the many online games that are becoming rampant in the country. An individual forms a group on any social media platforms after which around 100 members in the group selects a sheet/number each. The individual members then place bets after which a winner is selected. The organiser declares the winner as per the number from Shillong Teer announced through their website. The organiser credits the prize money to the winner after keeping about 15 to 20 per cent of the collected money themselves.
“There were several notifications issued by the Department of Law and Order and also from the Royal Bhutan Police stating that online gambling is illegal. So by now, people should be aware of it. But it does not seem that our public is aware of it or if they are knowingly conducting such online gambling. Henceforth, any complaint coming to the police on online gambling will be penalised,” said Major Gyembo Penjor, the Officer Commanding of Thimphu Police.
According to the police, there is no transfer of money to Shillong Teer nor does the Shillong Teer management knows that their results are used by participants in Bhutan
He also said such online gambling can bring disharmony in the family and society.
“There are disadvantages like domestic issues, there will be a loss of the property and addiction to online gambling. It is easy money. It is very easy to make money but depending on luck. However, in our country, it is illegal gambling and it will be charged under section 393*, of the Penal Code of Bhutan,” he added.
He said police have received a few complaints so far on such online gambling of which one suspect confessed to the act and have been charge-sheeted to the court.
Meanwhile, other such lottery games are Bhutan Teer, Night Teer game, Early Night Teer, and Lockdown Teer among others.
Kinley Dem
* Section 393: “A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of gambling, if the defendant stakes or wagers something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the defendant’s control or influence upon an agreement or understanding that the defendant will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.” The offence of gambling shall be a petty misdemeanour.
