The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has lodged a formal complaint with the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) regarding the recent Kotu Kepeema gambling racket, while simultaneously launching an awareness programme aimed at deterring public participation in the activity.

Following the revelation that the NLB Act does not contain provisions enabling legal action against the racketeers, the Board has requested the Finance Ministry’s assistance in drafting regulations, either under the NLB Act or other relevant legislation, to facilitate action against the perpetrators.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, NLB Chairperson Siril Anthony Perera said that the Board was unable to take action under the current Act to address the matter.

“For this, we cannot work under this Act,” he said. “We can only act if any act is happening related to our institution.”

He further noted that the Board had sought the Ministry’s assistance in drafting legislation to enable legal action.

“It doesn't have to come under our Act. Previously, we had the Gaming Ordinance. But, it is no longer there. But, we have the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act. We have asked for amendments to this Act in order to address this issue legally,” Perera explained.

When queried further, he clarified that these gambling games were not being conducted as organised or centralised operations, but were taking place in small, scattered groups across the country.

Perera also said that Police officers had been deployed to raid these locations as part of efforts to address the issue, while awareness programmes were currently ongoing.

The comments come in the wake of the NLB raising concerns over the spread of an illegal gambling racket based on lottery winning numbers called “Kotu Kepeema”.

Speaking before a Parliamentary Committee, he had stated that the practice had expanded from small village-level bets to wagers of up to Rs. 100,000 in some areas.