China's Ministry of Finance approved the China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center to print and issue 25 instant welfare lottery games, including one named "Feichang Youxi," according to an approval opinion dated October 25, 2022 and published on the ministry's website on November 15, 20221. The document carries the reference number Cai Zong [2022] No. 82 and is addressed to the issuance center1.
The approval sets how proceeds from the 25 games are divided. The games are to allocate 65 percent of total sales to lottery prizes, 15 percent to lottery issuance fees and 20 percent to the lottery public welfare fund1. The ministry said the decision was made to optimize the structure of instant lottery games and promote the healthy development of the lottery market, citing the Lottery Administration Regulations (State Council Order No. 554), their implementation rules (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Affairs and General Administration of Sport Order No. 96) and the Lottery Issuance and Sales Administration Measures (Cai Zong [2018] No. 67)1.
"同意你中心印制发行“非常有戏”等25款即开型福利彩票游戏"
The ministry attached the full rules for the 25 games as a separate document1. It instructed the center to publish a public announcement before the games go on sale, stating the name and reference number of the ministry's approval document, the on-sale date and the game rules1.
On prize claims, the ministry said payouts for instant welfare lottery games must follow current rules: winnings are to be paid in a single lump sum in renminbi cash or by cash check, and winners must present the winning ticket at a designated location within a set period1. The center was also told to carry out its responsibilities as the issuing body, comply with government procurement rules and coordinate game approval, budgeting, printing and logistics, the start of sales and the end of sales, while guiding sales agencies to cut costs, raise efficiency and operate in a standard way1.
The approval does not name a launch date for the 25 games, and no on-sale date has been reported1.
What it means for players
The 25 games are instant, or scratch-card style, welfare lottery products, so they are bought and played in person rather than drawn over time. The 65 percent prize share means that, across total sales of these games, 65 percent is returned as prizes, 15 percent covers issuance costs and 20 percent goes to the public welfare fund1. That split is set at the level of the game series, not per ticket, so it does not describe the odds or payout of any single card.
The rules for each of the 25 games are contained in the attached document, which sets the specific play and prize structure1. Details such as ticket prices, prize tiers and the claim deadline for these games have not been reported beyond the attachment.
For background on how these products work and who may buy them, see Instant Lotteries and Scratch Cards in Asia: How They Work and Where They Are Sold, The Lottery in China: Who Can Play and How and Can I Gamble in China?.
What happens next
The issuance center must publish a public announcement before the games go on sale, giving the approval document's name and number, the on-sale date and the game rules1. No such announcement or on-sale date has been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- 财政部关于“非常有戏”等25款即开型福利彩票游戏的审批意见, zhs.mof.gov.cn
