Mainland China’s lottery sales soar to $81.2 billion

In 2023, mainland China had a 36.5% growth in lottery purchases, totaling RMB 579.7 billion (US$81.2 billion). Notably, sales of sports lotteries amounted to RMB 385.3 billion (US$53.9 billion), up 39.3% from 2022.

Welfare lottery income surged 47.7% to RMB 5.65 billion (US$790 million) in December despite a poor year-end, with lottery sales decreasing 13.8% to RMB 53.3 billion (US$7.45 billion) in December. In the same month, sports lottery income decreased by 28.4% to RMB 35.8 billion (US$5.0 billion).

The Ministry of Finance blamed the decline in sports lottery wagering in December on a larger base at the same period in 2022, which was stimulated by the FIFA World Cup.

Digital ticket sales accounted for RMB 176.8 billion (US$24.7 billion) of the total lottery sales in FY23, a 13.8% increase. The amount sold via “competitive guessing lotteries” increased by 36.2% to RMB 246.5 billion (US$34.5 billion). Sales of lottery tickets saw a notable 100.2% increase to RMB 119.0 billion (US$16.6 billion) for instant lottery tickets, and a 29.6% increase to RMB 37.4 billion (US$5.22 billion) for keno tickets.

Of total lottery purchases, 30.5% came from digital lottery, 42.5% from “competitive guessing lotteries,” 20.5% from instant lottery, and 6.5% from keno.

All provinces, including Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong, had a notable growth in sales.

In order to maintain smooth market operations, the Ministry of Finance emphasized that lottery organizations at all levels must actively monitor and appraise new conditions and challenges in addition to improving lottery ticket issuance and sales.

Original story by: IAG