Lottery sales in China rise in September

China continues to restrict most forms of gambling, but lotteries fall outside that restriction. According to data released by the Ministry of Finance, total lottery sales in September 2026 rose 27.3 percent year on year to 10.4 billion dollars.

The ministry said the World Cup has lastingly boosted interest in lotteries and sports betting. Sports betting sales climbed to 5.87 billion dollars in the month, accounting for 58.4 percent of total sales.

Instant lottery sales fell 14.9 percent to 1.49 billion dollars. Video lottery sales dropped to 7.9 million dollars. Even so, overall sales increased in all 31 provinces. Shandong led with 238.4 million dollars in sales, followed by Henan with 213.1 million and Jiangsu with 156.5 million.

Up to the end of September, lottery sales rose 14.6 percent to 81.33 billion dollars. Meanwhile, the 90,000 cinemas across the country were urged to hold various events, including selling lottery tickets, to offset declining box office revenue.