Summary of Key Points
In June 2026, driven by the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, national lottery sales reached a record high, with particularly strong growth in sports lotteries and scratch-off games. This surge directly turned the lottery sales trend from negative to positive in the first half of the year. However, the impact of the World Cup is short-lived; sales in July may still remain high, but they are likely to decline next year due to the higher base. There were also significant differences in sales performance among different types of lotteries and regions.
1. The World Cup Boosted Scratch-Off Lottery Sales
During the World Cup, the most popular type of lottery was the "scratch-off" game, where participants guessed the outcome of matches (win/loss, scores, number of goals, etc.). This year, the number of participating teams increased from 32 to 48, and the number of matches rose from 64 to 104, providing more opportunities for guessing and boosting sales. Data shows that scratch-off lottery sales in June amounted to 47.675 billion yuan, a 96% increase (almost doubling) compared to the same period last year, which significantly contributed to the overall growth in sports lottery sales, which reached 59.221 billion yuan, up 62.9%. Shop owners also reported a noticeable increase in customers and higher revenues during the World Cup.
2. June Sales Hit a Record High: How Much of an Increase?
Total national lottery sales in June were 75.978 billion yuan, a 39.5% increase from the same period last year, marking the first time monthly sales have reached such a high level. In previous years, the first month after a World Cup saw double-digit growth, but June this year set a new record. The reason is simple: the World Cup started on June 12 and covered most of the month, sparking widespread enthusiasm among lottery players, even those who usually do not buy lotteries.
3. First-Half Sales Turned Positive Thanks to the World Cup
In the first five months of this year, lottery sales were declining. Just as it seemed that sales would fall in the first half of the year, the World Cup reversed this trend. According to the Ministry of Finance, total national lottery sales from January to June amounted to 326.874 billion yuan, a 2.8% increase (finally turning positive). However, there were significant disparities: sports lottery sales increased by 7.6%, while welfare lotteries decreased by 6.6%. Scratch-off lottery sales surged, but lottery types such as the "Da Le Tou" (a popular Chinese lottery), instant lottery games, and Keno lotteries all saw declines, indicating that funds were primarily directed towards World Cup-related scratch-offs.
4. Will Sales Remain Strong in July? Possible Decline Next Year
Since the World Cup ends on July 20, and some matches are still scheduled for July, market expectations suggest that sales will remain high in July. However, it's important to note that the World Cup is a once-every-four-years event. Historical data shows that sales often peak during the World Cup and then decline significantly in the following year due to the higher base. For example, if June sales this year were 75.9 billion yuan, they will likely fall next year without the World Cup.
5. Which Regions Saw the Biggest Growth?
Sales increased in all 27 provinces across the country, with the highest increases in Henan, Guangdong, Hebei, and Shandong—possibly due to larger populations, a large fan base, or a wider distribution of lottery shops. In contrast, sales decreased in Chongqing, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, and Beijing, possibly because local residents were less enthusiastic about World Cup-related lotteries or because other types of lotteries saw more significant declines.
In summary, the World Cup had a significant positive impact on lottery sales, but this effect is temporary. For ordinary lottery players, it's a good opportunity to join in the fun, but remember that lotteries are primarily for entertainment. Don't spend too much money based on short-term enthusiasm!