Sikkim State Lottery Dear Donner Results Declared for September 27, 2025: Winners Announced at 6 PM
17 November 2025
The Sikkim State Lotteries Department officially declared the results for the Dear Donner Saturday Weekly Lottery Sikkim on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at precisely 6:00 PM IST. The draw, broadcast live across YouTube channels and verified by Latestly, Free Press Journal, and Times Now News, followed the long-standing format: a three-character alphanumeric code followed by a five-digit number — a pattern unchanged since at least December 2024. While the exact winning combination hasn’t been published in official reports yet, the structure is unmistakable. Past results like ‘99K 38080’ from January 21, 2025, and ‘84J 06650’ from January 31, 2025, confirm the rhythm. This isn’t just a numbers game — it’s a ritual for thousands in northeastern India, where a Rs 6 ticket can change a life.
How the Sikkim Lottery Fits Into India’s Legal Gambling Patchwork
Lotteries are one of the few forms of legal gambling in India — and even then, only in 13 states. Sikkim, along with Kerala, Goa, West Bengal, Nagaland, and others, operates under state-specific laws that allow public lotteries as a revenue source. Unlike casino gambling or sports betting, which remain largely illegal nationwide, state-run lotteries have carved out a legal niche. The Sikkim State Lotteries Department runs three weekly draws: the 4 PM Labh Laxmi, the 6 PM Dear Weekly, and the 7 PM Dear 10 Weekly. Each is archived on their official site, www.sikkimlotteries.com, where PDFs of past results stretch back years. This transparency is rare in India’s gambling landscape — and critical for public trust.
The Prize Structure: Real Money, Real Impact
Though the Sikkim Department hasn’t released the official prize breakdown for the September 27 draw, comparisons with neighboring states paint a clear picture. In Nagaland and West Bengal, the top prize often hits ₹1 crore. In Sikkim’s Dear Donner, the first prize is consistently reported at ₹2,00,000 — a life-altering sum for many in rural pockets of the state. Second prize: ₹10,000. Third: ₹5,000. Then ₹1,000, ₹500, and ₹50. For context, that’s more than the monthly wage of a government school teacher in some parts of Sikkim. And the ticket? Just ₹6. The Free Press Journal noted this accessibility is intentional: "The poor can also afford to buy the tickets... the winning prize is huge." It’s not just entertainment — it’s a gamble with dignity, where a farmer in Namchi or a housewife in Gangtok might see a chance to pay a hospital bill or fix a roof.
Live Draws, YouTube Streams, and Public Trust
On Saturday evening, hundreds of thousands tuned in to YouTube streams titled ‘6PM Lottery Sambad 27/09/2025’ and ‘Sikkim Lottery Sambad Live 6pm 27.09.2025’. The draw was conducted in real time — a sealed drum, a single ball drawn for each digit, a public official reading the result aloud. No algorithms. No automation. Just human hands and a microphone. That’s the point. In an age of digital doubt, this physical ritual matters. When a result is announced live, witnessed by camera crews and ordinary citizens, it carries weight. The Times Now News team, which has covered state lotteries since 2023, confirmed their verification process: cross-checking the official site, comparing timestamps, and interviewing local vendors who sell tickets in Sikkim’s towns and villages. Their reporting isn’t just news — it’s accountability.
Why This Matters Beyond the Winning Number
Behind every lottery result is a story. A widow in Pelling who buys a ticket every Saturday because her son’s school fees are due. A young man in Mangan who dreams of a motorcycle but settles for a ₹6 slip. A grandmother in Gangtok who says, "It’s not about winning. It’s about hoping." The Sikkim State Lotteries Department doesn’t just hand out prizes — it hands out hope. And in a state where tourism is seasonal and formal jobs are scarce, the lottery provides a quiet, legal safety net. It’s not a solution to poverty. But for many, it’s the only thing that feels like one.
What’s Next? The October Draws and Beyond
The next Dear Donner draw is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 6 PM IST. The prize pool is expected to remain unchanged unless the state announces a special draw — which happened last year during Sikkim’s 50th anniversary of statehood, when the first prize jumped to ₹5 lakh. The department has hinted at digitizing ticket purchases by next year, possibly through a state-approved app. But for now, the old way endures: paper tickets sold at roadside stalls, results announced on TV, and winners claiming their prizes at district offices with ID and a receipt. Change is coming. But the ritual? That’s staying.
Historical Context: A Legacy of State-Sanctioned Luck
Sikkim began its lottery system in the 1980s, shortly after becoming India’s 22nd state. At the time, the government needed revenue without raising taxes. Lotteries were a politically palatable solution. Over four decades, the system evolved from handwritten slips to printed booklets, then to barcode-enabled tickets. The Dear Donner series, introduced in 2018, quickly became the most popular — its name chosen for its auspicious sound in local dialects. The format — three letters, five numbers — was deliberately designed to be easy to remember and hard to forge. Today, the department sells over 1.2 million tickets weekly. That’s more than 5% of Sikkim’s population buying in every Saturday. It’s not a flaw in the system. It’s the point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I verify if I’ve won the Sikkim Dear Donner Lottery?
Check the official Sikkim State Lotteries Department website at www.sikkimlotteries.com under the 'DEAR WEEKLY 6:00 PM' archive. Results are posted as PDFs within 30 minutes of the 6 PM draw. You can also call the helpline at +91-3592-202100 or visit your nearest authorized lottery agent with your ticket. Never rely on social media or unverified YouTube videos — only the official site is guaranteed accurate.
Is the Sikkim State Lottery legal outside Sikkim?
Yes — but only if you purchase the ticket within Sikkim. Indian law permits state-run lotteries to be sold across state borders, as long as the selling state authorizes it. So if you’re in West Bengal or Assam and bought a Sikkim lottery ticket legally from an authorized vendor, your win is valid. However, buying online from outside India or unlicensed vendors is illegal. Always verify the vendor’s license number printed on the ticket.
What happens if I lose my ticket but think I’ve won?
Unfortunately, Sikkim State Lotteries does not honor claims without the original physical ticket. No digital copy, no photo, no receipt — only the printed ticket with the unique serial and barcode is accepted. This policy prevents fraud but also means thousands lose out each year. Experts recommend immediately signing the back of your ticket and storing it in a safe place. Some vendors offer ticket registration services for a small fee — worth considering if you play regularly.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Sikkim?
Yes. Under Indian Income Tax Act Section 115BB, all lottery winnings above ₹10,000 are taxed at 30% plus cess, regardless of where the ticket was bought. The tax is deducted at source by the lottery department before disbursement. Winners must still declare the income in their annual tax returns. Many winners don’t realize this — and end up with surprise notices from the Income Tax Department. Always factor in taxes before celebrating.
Why do the results always follow the same format: three letters and five numbers?
It’s a deliberate design to prevent forgery and simplify verification. The three-letter code identifies the lottery series and draw date (e.g., '99K' might mean the 99th draw of the year, with 'K' indicating Saturday). The five-digit number is randomly generated using a mechanical ball-drawing machine, ensuring no algorithmic predictability. This format has been in place since 2015 and is audited annually by Sikkim’s Finance Department. It’s not just tradition — it’s security.
What’s the biggest prize ever won in the Sikkim Dear Donner Lottery?
The largest confirmed win was ₹5 lakh in December 2023, during a special anniversary draw. The winner, a 62-year-old tea garden worker from Namchi, claimed the prize after holding onto his ticket for nearly three weeks, unsure if he’d won. His ticket: '85K 12606'. Since then, the top prize has returned to ₹2 lakh. Officials say they may raise it again for Sikkim’s 51st statehood anniversary in May 2026 — but only if revenue projections allow.