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Record sales for China’s sports lottery thanks to the World Cup
China’s sports lottery is wittnessing a true boost from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, even without state-approved online sales channels.
According to the official China Sports Lottery website, sales for the week of June 11-17 totaled RMB7.33b (US$1.13b). The results reflect proceeds from the first few days of World Cup action, which kicked off on June 14. The sales total is 126% higher than the same week in 2014, the most recent World Cup year.
Looking at the first three days of World Cup action shows a distinct upward trend. June 14’s sales totaled RMB1.6b, rising to RMB2b on the 15th and then RMB2.3b on the 16th. Each day’s total represents a new record since the sports lottery launched in 2009.
The growth in this year’s World Cup lottery sales is all the more impressive given that sales are now entirely land-based, as the government suspended all official online sales in early 2015. The suspension followed an audit which revealed that many provincial lottery administration centers weren’t reporting all online sales while pocketing the difference.
But nature abhors a vacuum, and Chinese media reported last week that a number of popular online platforms and apps had been doing a brisk business via sports lottery sales. That is, until Beijing publicly reminded these platforms of the 2015 suspension and threatened backsliders with the usual consequences.
However, Chinese media noted that the cessation of this unapproved online lottery offering has led to a surge in informal World Cup betting pools on WeChat groups, with betting information being conveyed via private messages and money changing hands via the network’s infamous ‘red envelope’ feature. Wagers in some of these groups reportedly start at RMB300 ($46) and max out at RMB20k ($3,100).
Of course, every yuan spent via these unofficial online channels is one more yuan that’s not going to the government, which really should be sufficient motivation for Beijing to rethink their 40-months-and-counting online own goal.
Source: CalvinAyre.com
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

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Game Sales for Good: Kalypso Media and Humble Bundle Partner to Raise Funds for Charity
$77,000 Raised: Supporting Oceana, One Tree Planted, and More
Publisher Kalypso Media proudly reports their initiative through partnership with Humble Bundle, raising $77,000 to support a wide variety of charities, including Oceana, One Tree Planted, Child’s Play, WWF, and Movember in 2024.
“We believe it is our responsibility at Kalypso Media to support global causes, and we are honoured to work alongside Humble Bundle to do so,” said Anika Thun, Managing Director of Kalypso Media. “Empowering gamers to enjoy our products while making a difference to meaningful causes, connects us to a larger purpose made possible through the joy of video games.”
“At Humble, we’ve always believed in the power of gaming to create positive change. Our partnership with Kalypso Media exemplifies our ongoing mission to support meaningful global causes and empower gamers to make a difference,” said Kamini Tiwari, VP of Social Impact at Humble.
Among the charities supported, there was a significant focus on environmental conservation, with Oceana and One Tree Planted. These charities focus on protecting and restoring some of our planet’s most vulnerable resources. Oceana focuses on ocean conservation and protection, including threats of overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and threatened species. One Tree Planted is dedicated to global reforestation, providing a simple way for anyone to become involved in nurturing the planet, protecting life, and inspiring hope through the power of trees.
Kalypso Media is dedicated to continuing its efforts to support global causes in 2025 and looks forward to providing ways for Kalypso Media gamers to become involved.
For more information on these charities, Humble Bundle and how you can personally support, please visit:
- Oceana – oceana.org/
- One Tree Planted – onetreeplanted.org/
- Humble Bundle – humblebundle.com/
The post Game Sales for Good: Kalypso Media and Humble Bundle Partner to Raise Funds for Charity appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The post ZITRO SECURES THE PRESTIGIOUS EILERS & KREJCIK GAMING (EKG) AWARD FOR LATAM’S TOP-PERFORMING GAME OF THE YEAR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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