Skip to main content
Published: July 31, 2026

China’s World Cup frenzy: 70 billion views, 83.3 billion yuan in lottery football sales

Sales of the China Welfare and Sports Lotteries reached a record RMB75.98 billion (€9.87 billion) in June, driven by a 40% increase from strong sports prediction game sales tied to major football events.

Sales Breakdown and Drivers Total Revenue:

RMB75.98 billion (€9.87 billion) recorded for the month of June.

Growth Rate: Up by 40% compared to previous baselines, heavily propelled by sports prediction formats.

Core Catalyst: Surging interest in single-match football betting and major tournament action

Market Context State Monopoly: Mainland China legally permits only two state-run operations: the China Sports Lottery and the China Welfare Lottery .

Fund Allocation: Proceeds from both state entities directly fund public welfare initiatives, social programs, and national sports infrastructure.

https://www.scmp.com/