China’s lottery industry has reported a surge in sales during the first nine months of 2024, reaching $66.5 billion (RMB468.9 billion). According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) this marks a 9.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Welfare and Sports lotteries

The Welfare Lottery contributed $22.5 billion (RMB157.4 billion) to the total, reflecting an 8.9 percent rise from the previous year. Whereas the Sports Lottery generated $44 billion (RMB311.5 billion), a 9.7 percent year-on-year increase.

In 2023, lottery sales in China reached $81.2 billion (RMB579.7 billion), showing a 36.5 percent year-on-year growth.

China’s lottery system was established to fund social welfare and community development projects, operates under strict state regulation. The Welfare Lottery, launched in 1987, and the Sports Lottery, in 1995, are the only authorised lotteries in the country.

Together, they offer a wide range of products, including traditional lotto games featuring daily or weekly draws, modern high-frequency games with multiple draws per hour (Lotto), sports betting, video lottery terminals (VLT), keno products, and instant scratch cards (Scratch). Each ticket purchased contributes to public welfare.

China’s lotteries are strictly operated under a regulatory framework provided by the State Council and the Ministry of Finance. This state oversight ensures that lottery operations are transparent, secure, and in line with welfare goals in the country. The Ministry of Finance is also responsible for monitoring the sales so that the proceeds may be used for their intended purpose.

As far as growth in the sector, there are also challenges ahead. Over time, over-saturation may increase the threat of oversaturated opportunities available in the future. Apart from over-saturation, cases of gambling addiction and risk of fraud persist and keep reminding regulators that attention needs to be focused on these lines.

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