An illegal gambling racket based on the winning numbers of the National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board is causing a serious social crisis, the Chairman of the National Lotteries Board, Cyril Anthony Perera stated during a meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

The issue was raised when officials from both lottery boards were summoned before the committee.

Chairman Perera said the illegal gambling practice, known as “Kotu Kepima,” had grown into a serious problem and was now at a level of concern second only to drug abuse.

He said the practice had begun in villages around four to five years ago, with bets of around Rs. 100, but had since expanded significantly. In some high-income areas, the value of a single betting box has reportedly increased to as much as Rs. 100,000.

Under the illegal scheme, bettors select two numbers between 0 and 9 and place bets on the final two digits of the lottery number drawn on the relevant day.

Although the National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board conduct their draws at around 7.30 p.m., operators are reportedly using WhatsApp groups to run the illegal gambling operation and spreading false information that the month’s draws are conducted in advance and released daily.

The amount wagered varies depending on the economic activity in each area, according to officials. In paddy-producing areas such as Manampitiya, bets on a single number combination can reportedly reach Rs. 30,000, while in gem-mining areas such as Ratnapura, they can exceed Rs. 100,000.

According to Chairman Perera, the illegal gambling racket has caused many people to lose their land and other property, leaving them in severe financial difficulty.

He said the NLB had also received repeated complaints from women affected by their husbands’ addiction to the gambling practice.

Perera further said complaints had previously been lodged with the Inspector General of Police, the State Intelligence Service and several law enforcement bodies, but no effective action had been taken so far.

The NLB Chairman warned that the continued expansion of the illegal gambling operation could threaten both the financial sustainability of the country’s lottery boards and the livelihoods of ordinary people.