China’s lottery ticket sales increased by 4.1 percent year on year, reaching nearly RMB57.75 billion ($8.04 billion) in April, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance on Monday.
Sales supporting the country’s welfare system amounted to about RMB19.2 billion ($2.71 billion), reflecting a 2.2 percent rise from the previous year. Meanwhile, lottery ticket sales that fund the sports industry rose by 5.1 percent year on year, totaling RMB38.57 billion ($5.52 billion).
From January to April, total lottery ticket sales nationwide reached RMB206.34 billion ($29.19 billion), indicating a year-on-year increase of 0.7 percent.
Under China’s lottery management regulations, funds generated from ticket sales are allocated to administrative costs, public welfare projects, and prize payouts.
In 2024, China’s lottery sales reached RMB623.5 billion ($85.8 billion), setting a new record since the lottery system was introduced in 1984.
Sports lottery sales accounted for a dominant 66 percent of the total, reaching RMB415.53 billion ($57.68 billion), up 7.9 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, welfare lottery sales stood at RMB207.96 billion ($28.87 billion), reflecting a 7 percent annual increase.
