Core Viewpoint - The lottery industry is experiencing a decline in profitability, leading many companies to close their lottery stores despite initial high expectations for revenue generation from lottery sales [2][5][20]. Sales Performance - In May, the national lottery sales reached 57.036 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.418 billion yuan, representing a growth of 19.8% [4]. - The sales breakdown for May shows that: - Lotto digital lottery sales were 16.212 billion yuan, up 3.2% year-on-year - Betting lottery sales were 25.752 billion yuan, up 20.4% year-on-year - Instant lottery sales were 11.341 billion yuan, up 67.8% year-on-year [4]. Market Dynamics - The surge in instant lottery sales has attracted numerous individuals and companies to open lottery stores, particularly in large shopping malls [5][20]. - However, the profitability of these stores varies significantly due to differences in foot traffic and consumer behavior across different shopping venues [5][20]. Operational Challenges - The operational costs for lottery stores in commercial complexes are high, with monthly rents exceeding 10,000 yuan and initial setup costs around 400,000 yuan [11][13]. - Despite high sales potential, the average monthly sales for these stores are around 300,000 yuan, leading to a commission income of approximately 24,000 yuan, which is insufficient to cover costs [13][21]. Supply Chain Issues - The supply of instant lottery tickets has faced constraints, particularly from April 2024, exacerbating the operational difficulties for lottery stores [15][21]. - Frequent stock shortages have resulted in customer loss and increased operational complexity, with sales dropping by 20% after the Spring Festival in 2025 [16]. Industry Trends - The lottery industry saw a peak in sales around 2023-2024, but many companies began exiting the market after realizing unsatisfactory financial returns and inadequate support from management [20][21]. - The decline in average transaction value per customer has been a significant factor in the decision to close stores, particularly in high-rent areas where foot traffic has decreased [21][22]. Regulatory Environment - Companies face challenges related to compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, which complicates operations and can lead to significant financial losses due to delays in approvals for new sales points [22].
一家彩票店倒闭的背后
经济观察报·2025-06-30 10:17