China’s Unemployment Surge Drives Record Lottery Sales — Over $85 Billion In 2024

Lottery sales in China hit a record $85.8 billion, according to Asia Gaming Brief. This marks the highest figure since the country’s first lottery launched in the 1980s. Estimates suggest around 300 million people took part in lottery draws last year.

On average, each player spent roughly $275 on lottery tickets over 12 months.

Compared to 2023, sales grew by 7.6%, with the highest increases recorded in Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong, and Anhui provinces.

Analysts tracking China’s lottery market attribute the surge to rising unemployment, with many turning to lottery games in hopes of improving their financial situation.

Others point to the growing popularity of China’s state-run sports lottery, which allows residents to wager on the outcomes of football matches and other sporting events. The sports lottery accounted for 66% of total sales in 2024. Traditional sports betting remains banned in China.

China’s Ministry of Finance also reported $6.7 billion in lottery sales for January 2025 — a $1.3 billion (or 15.7%) drop compared to the same period in 2024. The decline was largely due to the temporary shutdown of the lottery market during Chinese New Year celebrations.