Kochi: The Kerala state government has constituted a high-level committee headed by the finance principal secretary to finalise the technical and financial details of its proposed online lottery. The existing state government lottery will, however, continue.

An official release said the committee, with the taxes secretary as convenor, will comprise secretaries of finance, law, information technology and industry. "An agent or a licensee will be appointed for running the online lottery."

The agency, which will be appointed only after checking its credentials, will introduce the technology needed for the online lottery, appoint subagents after deciding on ticket sales centres and conduct the draw of lots under the supervision of state officials.

The statement said an agent will be selected on the basis of public auction. The government opted for online lottery since online lottery tickets of other states are being sold in large numbers within the state, thereby adversely affecting the sales of the traditional lottery.