Chinas Lottery Industry Under Pressure Amidst Declining Revenue and Fraudulent Schemes

Chinas revenue from lottery tickets has been on a downward trend, experiencing a decline for six consecutive months. In November alone, there was a 10.2% plunge, amounting to approximately 46 billion US dollars. This downturn is impacting both charitable and athletic lotteries, potentially attributed to a combination of elements such as the halt of internet-based sales and the general economic deceleration in China.

Further exacerbating the industry’s challenges, a significant lottery fraud was recently dismantled by Chinese law enforcement. This intricate operation involved a bogus online lottery system that successfully defrauded over 32 million US dollars from more than a thousand individuals. The scheme was complex and transcended national boundaries, necessitating collaborative endeavors between Chinese and Laotian authorities to dismantle. They conducted raids in both nations, confiscating mobile devices, computers, and even vehicles utilized by the perpetrators. Over 470 individuals suspected of involvement were apprehended, with a substantial number being extradited to the Fujian province for prosecution. This resolute action underscores the Chinese government’s dedication to suppressing illicit gambling activities, as demonstrated by the remarkable quantity of cases resolved and apprehensions made in recent times.