(Yicai Global) April 23 -- China's lottery sales were CNY35 billion (USD5.2 billion) in March, down 13 percent from the same time last year when the Welfare Lottery and Sports Lottery fell 16.4 percent and 9.7 percent to CNY17 billion and CNY18 billion, respectively.

These findings came from statistics the country's finance ministry published today.

Overall lottery sales rose 2.1 percent to CNY106 billion from January to March, when Welfare Lottery sales slid 6.1 percent to CNY49 billion, while the Sports Lottery's grew 10.3 percent to CNY5 billion. 
Editor: Ben Armour