China’s lottery industry is likely to experience steady growth this year, with official figures showing that March ticket sales rose by 4.7 percent year-on-year to 58.22 billion yuan (€7.57 billion), according to data released by the Ministry of Finance.
The jump highlights continued recovery and stabilisation in the sector following significant fluctuations between 2019 and 2024. Of the total sales in March, welfare lottery tickets contributed 19.2 billion yuan (€2.5 billion), up 1.7 percent, while sports lottery ticket sales saw a more substantial rise of 6.2 percent to 39.01 billion yuan (€5.07 billion).
China’s state-regulated lottery system allocates proceeds towards public welfare programmes, administrative costs, and prize payouts. The industry has become one of the world’s largest, driven by digital innovations and changing consumer behaviour.
Lottery fever grows despite swings
Recent data highlights the sector’s fluctuations despite a constant rise. In 2019, total sales fell by 17.5 percent to 422.1 billion yuan (€54.9 billion), largely due to regulatory changes and broader market adjustments. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the decline in 2020, with estimated sales dropping to 333.9 billion yuan (€43.5 billion), marking a 20.9 percent year-on-year fall.
Recovery began in 2021, when sales rose by 11.8 percent to 373.3 billion yuan (€48.5 billion). Momentum picked up sharply in 2022, with sales reaching an estimated 579.3 billion yuan (€75.3 billion)—a 55.2 percent increase, buoyed by the return of major sporting events and renewed consumer engagement.
Sales plateaued in 2023 and 2024 at around 623.5 billion yuan (€81 billion), suggesting that the market had stabilised after two years of sharp recovery.
Record sales in 2025?
Early 2025 data support this trend: January sales reached 48.52 billion yuan (€6.3 billion), followed by 41.85 billion yuan (€5.45 billion) in February, with the decline attributed to seasonal factors.
Several factors have contributed to the market’s resilience in the lottery. Sports betting associated with events like the Hangzhou Asian Games has fueled growth, while digital platforms have made accessing lotteries more convenient. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, increasingly view lotteries as a form of entertainment.
Economic uncertainty has also played a role, with some individuals turning to lottery games as a potential financial opportunity during times of hardship and unemployment.
Looking ahead, China’s online lottery segment is expected to grow by approximately €2.45 billion yearly between 2025 and 2029, driven by the adoption of artificial intelligence tools and the increasing use of mobile devices.
As sales remain strong, China’s lottery model—combining recreational gambling with public funding—continues to gain global attention as an example of regulated and sustainable market growth.
