China’s beleaguered lottery operators – and UK gambling operator GVC Holdings – are facing further regulatory restrictions just as they’re finally getting back on their feet.

Last week, China’s Ministries of Finance and Civil Affairs issued a joint statement regarding the “orderly delisting” of lottery games that feature a short duration between purchasing a ticket and learning the outcome of one’s wager.

In January 2019, Beijing ordered its sports and welfare lottery administrators to halt the promotion of ‘high-frequency’ (sports) and ‘quick-opening’ (welfare) lottery products. The products, which were estimated at the time to account for between one-quarter and one-third of lottery sales, were apparently leading to “large-scale irrational purchases” by impatient players.  

The Ministries’ recent announcement claimed these marketing restrictions had “played a positive role in curbing the unauthorized use of the Internet to sell lottery tickets and restrict large-value betting.” But further curbs are apparently required to ensure these gains aren’t lost.