It's illegal to indulge in soccer gambling

The Football World Cup in Russia has been thrilling, to say the least, given the many upsets. And buying a football lottery to try their luck has added to the thrills for millions of soccer fans. But it is illegal to bid on soccer games on so-called soccer lottery websites or phone apps.

Many Chinese soccer fans are not aware of the difference between official sports lottery and gambling. According to the lottery management regulation of 2009, lottery is a certification that promises buyers different cash awards based on certain rules. So the soccer lottery, like other lotteries, is a means of raising money for public welfare programs.

A fixed ratio of lottery revenues, after deducting operation costs, is retained as public funds. Besides, only a franchised operator that has a brick-and-mortar outlet can get a government permit, usually from the Ministry of Finance, to sell State-approved lotteries. But despite gambling being illegal under China's laws, it is more thrilling for many to bid for higher stakes, albeit illegally on websites, most of which are based overseas where gambling is legal. These websites hire Chinese agents to conduct their business in China.