Punjab announced the winners of two state-run lotteries on August 11, 2026, with live draws held in Ludhiana.
Two lotteries with distinct prize pools
The first, Dear 100 Monthly, awarded a top prize of ₹25 lakh. Seven additional prizes ranged from ₹5 lakh to ₹200. The second lottery, Dear 50 Bronco, offered a first prize of ₹15 lakh, with six smaller prizes descending to ₹100.
The Dear 50 Bronco draw began at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Dear 100 Monthly draw at 7:00 p.m. Both took place at the Camp Office in Ludhiana.
How the prizes break down
In the Dear 100 Monthly lottery, only one winner claimed the first and second prizes. The third prize went to 30 people—each receiving ₹9,000. For the fourth through seventh prizes, 120 winners were selected per tier, with amounts decreasing incrementally from ₹7,000 to ₹1,000. The eighth prize, the smallest at ₹200, had 12,000 winners.
The Dear 50 Bronco followed a similar structure but with adjustments to the number of winners per tier. One winner took the top prize, while 25 shared the second prize of ₹9,000. Fifty winners split the third prize, and 125 each received the fourth, fifth, and sixth prizes, which ranged from ₹2,000 to ₹500. The seventh prize, ₹100, went to 17,500 people.
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Lotteries like these have long been a fixture in some Indian states, offering a low-cost gamble with the chance of a life-changing payout. The appeal extends beyond the financial aspect, as the draws themselves have become a form of entertainment. The state lottery system also serves as a revenue generator, with a portion of ticket sales allocated to public welfare programs, though the exact percentage earmarked for such initiatives varies by draw and is not always publicly detailed. Critics argue that the system disproportionately targets lower-income groups, who may spend a larger share of their earnings on tickets in the hope of escaping financial hardship. Proponents, however, point to the voluntary nature of participation and the occasional success stories that emerge from such schemes.
Winners announced, but no names yet
The Punjab government released the prize amounts and the number of winners, but did not immediately disclose the names or ticket numbers of those who won. Officials typically verify claims before publishing full details, a process that involves cross-referencing winning tickets with purchase records to prevent fraud. This delay is standard practice and can take several days, particularly for high-value prizes, as authorities conduct background checks to ensure the legitimacy of the claims. In the past, instances of forged tickets or disputes over ownership have led to legal challenges, prompting the state to adopt stricter verification measures.
Participants can check results on the state lottery’s official website or through authorized retailers, who often display printed lists of winning numbers on their premises. Winners must present their original tickets and valid identification to claim prizes, with additional documentation required for amounts exceeding ₹10,000. The state also imposes a tax deduction at source for prizes above a certain threshold, though the exact rate is subject to periodic revisions under central and state tax laws. Smaller prizes can often be claimed on the same day, while larger sums may require visits to designated government offices for further processing.
The next Dear 100 Monthly draw is scheduled for September 11, 2026, maintaining its regular cycle of mid-month draws. The Dear 50 Bronco lottery will return next Tuesday, August 18, continuing its weekly frequency. Both lotteries operate under a pre-approved calendar, allowing participants to plan their purchases in advance. Ticket sales typically close an hour before the draw, and retailers are required to submit all unsold tickets to the state lottery department for secure disposal to prevent unauthorized use.
