In the lead-up to West Bengal's Assembly elections, the lottery system has come under intense scrutiny from residents of the Falakata constituency in Alipurduar district. Many locals describe the system as exploitative, with lottery sellers and buyers alike reporting substantial financial losses. Virendra Sarkar, a lottery seller, mentioned that he sells tickets worth ₹800-900 daily but sees little profit, as winnings are rare. Local resident Deepak shared a personal account of his brother losing nearly ₹1 lakh (roughly $1,200 USD) after opening a lottery shop, emphasizing that the system often leads to despair among economically vulnerable individuals. Reports of addiction and debt are rampant, with some residents claiming that young men in their villages have taken high-interest loans to buy tickets, resulting in severe financial distress and, tragically, suicides. Asith Debnath, a truck driver, revealed he has spent ₹4-5 lakh (roughly $4,800-$6,000 USD) on lottery tickets over the years, with minimal returns, while Hare Krishna Das described the habit as addictive, noting he has spent ₹8-9 lakh (roughly $9,600-$11,000 USD) over three decades. Residents are now calling on all political parties, including the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Left, to include a clear agenda regarding the lottery system and to ensure alternative employment for those reliant on it. This growing public sentiment highlights the need for urgent government intervention to address the socio-economic issues surrounding the lottery system.