The government of Uttar Pradesh has banned the sale of any lottery tickets in the state.

The decision followed a ruling by the state High Court that decisions of courts in other states were not valid in Uttar Pradesh.

Some lottery dealers from northeastern states had obtained orders from the Assam High Court against an earlier ban in Uttar Pradesh.

Correspondents say the government feels lotteries have become a big social and administrative problem in Uttar Pradesh, leading to a number of violent crimes and suicides.