A spokesperson for China’s Sport Lottery Administration announced that the country would launch a new lotto game inspired in the Olympic Games of Beijing. The public relations official explained that the design of the ticket would probably include images of the Official Mascots, “Fuwa”, which represent different blessings.

Although it was said that the new Lottery would be an instant one, no more details were revealed about the game. In the past few years, the popularity of lottery has greatly increased among the Chinese population, with sales that reached the 13,700 million dollars in 2007.

Such numbers represent a 20 percent growth compared to the figures reported in 2006 and are a historical record for lotto games in the country since they were allowed 20 years ago.

Currently, lotto sales are used by the Chinese government to build public sport centers and schools as well as to finance social welfare programs. Also, the profits generated by lottery games are destined to build schools and support special learning courses.