Announcement of the Ministry of Finance on the Arrangements for the Lottery Market Closure in 2024

Announcement No. 73 of 2023 by the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

CHINA (December 4, 2023) — In accordance with the “Lottery Management Regulations” and its implementation details, the “Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Arrangements for Certain Holidays in 2024” (Guobanfa Dian [2023] No. 7) and other relevant regulations, the lottery market closing arrangements for 2024 are now announced as follows:

1. Market closing time. During the 10-day Spring Festival, the market will be closed from 0:00 on February 8, 2024 to 24:00 on February 17, 2024. During the 4-day National Day, the market will be closed from 0:00 on October 1 to 24:00 on October 4, 2024.
2. During the market closing period, except for instant lottery tickets, the sales, prize drawings and prize redemptions of other types of lottery games across the country will be suspended. The lottery issuing agencies and lottery sales agencies will announce the lottery draw and prize redemption time adjustments to the public in advance.
3. During the market closing period, the sales activities of instant lottery tickets shall be determined by the lottery sales agency based on the requirements of the lottery issuing agency and the actual local conditions. The wishes of lottery agents must be fully respected and sales must not be forced. Lottery sales agencies must formulate comprehensive and detailed sales work plans and effectively strengthen safety management.
4. Lottery issuing agencies and lottery sales agencies must properly keep the sales data generated before the market close to ensure data security; they must make full use of the market close to adjust and maintain the lottery sales system and equipment to prepare for lottery sales after the market closes.

SOURCE: Ministry of Finance.