Do not treat lottery tickets as a way to grow money
Chinese rules require at least 50% of lotto and number-game sales to fund prizes; Double Color Ball allocates 51%. That means a long-run average payout of RMB 0.51 per RMB 1 spent, a 49% expected loss. Of RMB 623.486 billion in national 2024 sales, RMB 161.031 billion went directly to public-welfare funds rather than prizes.
What it takes
Buying none saves the full price.
What you may gain
Minimum prize-pool shares are 50% for lotto and number games, 65% for instant tickets and 73% for prediction games. Double Color Ball allocates 51%: RMB 51 in prizes per RMB 100 sold, implying RMB 0.51 average return per RMB 1 and a 49% expected loss. China's 2024 lottery sales totaled RMB 623.486 billion, including RMB 161.031 billion allocated to public welfare rather than returned to players.
Context & considerations
Negative expected return is built into the system, whatever individual luck produces. If you buy, regard it as RMB 2 entertainment, not financial planning.
Research & references
Ministry of Finance of China (2015). Notice on regulating and strengthening the composition of lottery funds, Caizong [2015] No. 94. http://m.mof.gov.cn/czxw/201511/t20151113_1560814.htm ; Ministry of Finance of China (2025). Announcement No. 8 on 2024 lottery public-welfare fund collection and allocation. http://zhs.mof.gov.cn/zhengcefabu/202508/t20250828_3970977.htm ; China Welfare Lottery Double Color Ball rules, Article 14. https://mzj.nc.gov.cn/ncsmzj/flcp/202111/5dccc1a5da89434e94a62f8ea0e5887e.shtml