Gambling na China
fev26
China reminds travellers to ‘stay away from gambling’ overseas during lunar new year
Chinese diplomatic missions serving a number of major Asia-Pacific casino jurisdictions have issued “stay away from gambling” warnings to Chinese citizens amid the advent of the Chinese New Year holiday period that started on Sunday (February 15).
Chinese New Year this time falls on February 17 (Tuesday) and the annual celebration is usually a peak travel period for Chinese nationals. On the Chinese mainland, the festival will be marked by a nine-day holiday that runs until Monday, February 23.
Several of the warnings about “cross-border” gambling specifically refer to separate instances where “a Chinese citizen jumped to his death” after participating in gambling.
One advisory notice, issued on Saturday, was from China’s Singapore embassy, and mentioned particularly, a fatal jumping incident following a person gambling at Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore property of Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The warning stated: “Recently, a Chinese citizen jumped to his death after gambling at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.”
It added: “The embassy is guiding the family in handling the aftermath.”
Another statement issued on Sunday by China’s consulate in Da Nang, on Vietnam’s central coast, said: “Recently, a tragic incident occurred in Hoi An Hotel [sic] in Da Nang, Vietnam, where a Chinese citizen jumped to his death after participating in gambling. This serves as a stark reminder.”
Both statements referred to citizens being able to report overseas-gambling cases to the Chinese authorities, including via an official WeChat account titled: “Reject Cross-Border Gambling”.
GGRAsia respectively approached Marina Bay Sands in Singapore; and Hoiana Resort & Golf, Hoi An’s only integrated resort (IR) with casino, for comment on the Chinese diplomatic warnings.
Marina Bay Sands stated: “At this time we won’t have anything to add on this.”
Singapore has a casino duopoly, with the other casino resort being Resorts World Sentosa, run by a unit of Genting Singapore Ltd.
Hoiana Resort & Golf in Vietnam told GGRAsia it could not comment on the Chinese consulate’s statement.
An advisory notice last week from the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka, a casino jurisdiction, also mentioned avoiding “gambling”, as did a Saturday notice from the embassy in the Philippines, and one the same day from the embassy in South Korea.
Macau is the only place in China where casino gambling is legal. The city welcomed nearly 279,400 visitors over the weekend, showed preliminary figures from the city’s Public Security Police. Most of Macau’s tourists come from the mainland.
Some of the advisory notices from Chinese overseas missions stated: “Gambling is strictly prohibited under Chinese law, and the amendment to the Criminal Law has formally criminalised cross-border gambling.”
“Even if overseas casinos are legally operating, Chinese citizens engaging in cross-border gambling are suspected of violating Chinese law,” the statements added.
The Singapore and Vietnam warnings mentioned sanctions specifically against “those involved in organising gambling activities,” adding that all involved “will be held legally responsible”.
https://www.ggrasia.com/china-reminds-travellers-to-stay-away-from-gambling-overseas-during-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=china-reminds-travellers-to-stay-away-from-gambling-overseas-during-lunar-new-year
jul25 China lottery
Over the past several years, China’s lottery industry has undergone a dramatic transformation, shaped by the sweeping effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study by Dr. Chen Haiping, an associate professor at the Faculty of Psychology at Beijing Normal University.
The research, published in this year’s first Global Gaming & Tourism Research book from the Macau Polytechnic University (MPU), presents a detailed analysis of the post-pandemic evolution of the country’s lottery market.
Drawing from official national sales data and demographic research, the study traces the structural, behavioral, and psychological changes that have redefined lottery consumption across the country.
Downturn and recovery
The pandemic’s initial outbreak in early 2020 delivered a sudden and severe blow to the industry. Government-imposed lockdowns and strict public health controls, including the closure of sales outlets and suspension of major sporting events, triggered a precipitous drop in sales.
In February 2020 alone, national lottery sales fell by over 80 percent year-on-year. The impact was the most significant decline recorded since 2008. As the public focused on essentials and avoided public venues, lottery spending—which is typically categorized as leisure or discretionary consumption—plummeted.
However, this decline was short-lived. As China gradually emerged from the height of the pandemic and resumed economic activities, the lottery market experienced a strong and rapid rebound. By mid-2020, sales had not only recovered but were on an accelerated growth trajectory.
By 2024, national lottery revenues had surged to a record RMB709.7 billion ($99 billion), nearly doubling the levels seen prior to the pandemic. This remarkable turnaround, according to Chen, reflects both strategic adaptations by the industry and evolving consumer behavior.
One of the most notable developments has been the reconfiguration of the market’s product structure. The once-prominent video lottery completely disappeared from circulation after authorities approved its termination.
Meanwhile, sports betting products gained unprecedented momentum, with their share of total sales expanding rapidly to rival the combined share of other categories. Instant-win scratch tickets continued their steady rise, although growth appeared to be approaching a plateau.
Traditional lotto-style number games, long the backbone of the market, saw their relative share shrink each year, and Keno-type products, while gaining marginally, ultimately stagnated.
Consumer base changes
The composition of the consumer base also shifted dramatically during this period. Young people have emerged as the dominant demographic, replacing the older and middle-aged buyers who once made up the bulk of lottery players. Data from multiple studies and internal reports indicates that individuals between 18 and 35 years of age now constitute the largest group of lottery consumers.
This shift coincides with the widespread adoption of smartphones, mobile payment systems, and digital lifestyles, which have made it easier for younger generations to access lottery services—even in the absence of formal online ticket sales. The appeal to youth is bolstered by the gamification and entertainment value embedded in many newer lottery formats.
Another striking development is the growing participation of women in the lottery market. Historically, men have accounted for the majority of ticket buyers, but recent research shows that women now represent up to 40 percent of players, and in some regions or product categories—such as instant scratch cards—the figure is even higher. The increase in female participation is closely linked to broader social trends, including greater economic independence and evolving attitudes toward leisure and spending.
In tandem with these trends is the rise of white-collar and higher-income consumers as a significant player segment. Once associated primarily with low- to middle-income earners, lottery buyers now include a large share of office workers, professionals, and highly educated individuals. Surveys show that over 60 percent of purchasers have received higher education, and many earn more than RMB10,000 ($1,395) per month.
For these consumers, the lottery is often seen not just as a chance to win money but as a low-stakes form of entertainment and emotional release amid daily stresses.
Social media platforms have also played a key role in promoting lottery participation as a communal experience. Young people post photos of their tickets, organize group purchases, and even exchange lottery tickets as gifts for birthdays, holidays, or weddings. In certain cities, local lottery offices have embraced this trend, providing scratch-card bouquets for wedding ceremonies and partnering with convenience stores and shopping centers to create immersive, themed sales environments.
The shift in consumer mindset and behavior is also reflected in the retail ecosystem. During the pandemic, when physical access to stores was limited, many consumers turned to indirect online channels—such as chat groups, digital kiosks, or appointment systems—to obtain tickets.
Although online lottery sales remain tightly restricted by law, the industry has made significant strides in enhancing digital engagement through mobile apps, QR code payments, and smart vending machines.
Retail stores, in turn, have undergone rapid transformation. No longer just places to buy tickets, these outlets are becoming hybrid social spaces that combine ticket sales with café-style relaxation areas, themed decor, and interactive experiences. This repositioning has helped attract new customers and revive foot traffic in an increasingly digital world.
Underlying the post-pandemic lottery boom, the study argues, is a broader psychological phenomenon known as the “lipstick effect”. Originally coined in consumer psychology to describe the tendency for people to indulge in small luxuries during economic downturns, this theory holds that when faced with financial uncertainty, individuals may forgo major expenses but continue to spend on inexpensive items that offer momentary pleasure or escapism.
In China, lottery tickets—particularly those with low entry costs and instant outcomes—have served precisely this function. The economic slowdown, coupled with prolonged public health measures, created a fertile ground for this type of compensatory consumption. The lottery, in essence, became a “small hope” investment amid larger uncertainties.
Lottery operators change tactics
In addition to responding to changing consumer behavior, lottery authorities actively encouraged this rebound. The study notes that institutions introduced new ticket formats, expanded point-of-sale locations to high-traffic areas such as shopping malls and transit stations, and launched thematic campaigns tied to health, holidays, and popular culture.
The traditional 2-yuan ($0.14) ticket, a staple for decades, was phased out in favor of higher-priced options, subtly boosting average spending per transaction. Simultaneously, industry stakeholders adopted advanced technologies for monitoring sales behavior, improving customer experience, and providing support services—such as addiction counseling or gamification features that enhance consumer retention.
Looking ahead, Chen emphasizes the importance of aligning regulation, innovation, and consumer protection. While new demographics bring vitality to the market, they also present challenges. The surge in sports betting, for example, raises concerns about potential addiction risks among young users.
Marketing campaigns need to be carefully calibrated to avoid encouraging excessive spending or exploiting vulnerable groups.
At the same time, regulators must strengthen oversight mechanisms, upgrade digital monitoring tools, and promote responsible gambling practices, especially in an era where digital engagement is redefining the boundaries between leisure and risk.
https://agbrief.com/intel/deep-dive/01/07/2025/china-lottery-industry-underwent-considerable-post-pandemic-transformation-research/
Comments
Post a Comment