Core Viewpoint - The increasing enthusiasm of domestic residents for purchasing lottery tickets is highlighted, with a significant sales figure of 623.486 billion yuan in 2024, representing a 7.6% year-on-year growth. The allure of potentially achieving wealth quickly through small investments is a key driver for this trend [1]. Group 1: Lottery Sales and Participation - In 2024, the total lottery sales in China reached 623.486 billion yuan, marking a 7.6% increase compared to the previous year [1]. - The public's interest in lotteries is fueled by the perception of lotteries as one of the few avenues for achieving "overnight wealth," especially in a challenging economic environment [1]. Group 2: Winning Odds and Hidden Fees - The probability of winning significant lottery prizes, such as the 5 million yuan jackpot in the Double Color Ball game, is extremely low, at 1 in 17 million [3]. - Despite the low odds, 147 individuals have won prizes exceeding 5 million yuan from 2025 to the present [3]. - Winners face two lesser-known fees: a notarization fee and a security service fee, which are often deducted from their winnings [5][8]. Group 3: Notarization and Security Fees - The notarization fee can be substantial; for instance, one winner reported a fee of 65,000 yuan for a 50 million yuan prize, which is deducted directly from the winnings [5]. - The security service fee typically ranges from 0.1% to 0.5% of the prize amount, leading to costs of at least several thousand yuan for high-value winners [8]. - Both fees exist in a legal gray area, as there are no explicit laws mandating their payment, and many winners are unaware of their negotiable nature [8]. Group 4: Regulatory Changes and Recommendations - Regulatory bodies have begun to enhance oversight of lottery centers, with new guidelines issued in late 2024 to standardize service fees and prevent mandatory acceptance of unnecessary services [12]. - As of 2025, many provinces have eliminated compulsory notarization requirements and set caps on security fees, promoting transparency in the lottery system [12]. - Recommendations for winners include understanding the redemption process and potential fees beforehand, remaining calm during the fee payment process, and seeking legal advice if necessary [10].

Core Viewpoint - The probability of ordinary people achieving "instant wealth" through lottery has significantly decreased, with a notable decline in lottery sales in late 2024, marking the first substantial drop in five years [1][4]. Group 1: Lottery Sales Trends - In 2024, the national lottery sales reached 568.9 billion yuan, but there was a decline in sales from October to December, with December's sales at 41.2 billion yuan, down 8.3% year-on-year [1]. - A lottery sales point in Beijing reported a drop in daily sales from an average of 1,200 yuan in 2019 to less than 800 yuan currently, indicating a shift in customer demographics [4]. Group 2: Changing Attitudes Towards Lottery - Many individuals have come to realize that the probability of winning a lottery jackpot is extremely low, exemplified by the 1 in 17.72 million odds of winning the first prize in the Double Color Ball lottery [6]. - Some players, after spending significant amounts on lottery tickets without winning, are opting to invest their money in more reliable financial instruments, such as stocks or government bonds, which they perceive as more trustworthy [9]. - The enthusiasm for lottery among young people is declining, as they prefer to invest in personal development or entrepreneurship rather than gambling on lottery tickets [11]. Group 3: Psychological Factors - The media often promotes stories of lottery winners, which can create unrealistic expectations among new players, leading to disappointment when they do not win [13]. - Players who approach lottery participation with a mindset of guaranteed success are likely to face greater disappointment and may eventually withdraw from playing [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that claims of AI predicting lottery numbers are fraudulent and urges lottery players to remain vigilant against such scams [1][2]. Summary by Sections AI Prediction Scam - The Chinese Welfare Lottery warns that recent scams involve individuals claiming to use AI to predict winning lottery numbers, enticing players to pay for these "prediction services" [1]. - The lottery organization asserts that lottery games, such as the Double Color Ball, involve a vast number of possible combinations (over 17.72 million) and that each combination has an equal chance of winning [1]. Nature of Lottery Draws - Each lottery draw is an independent random event, meaning past results do not influence future outcomes [1]. - The article explains that even if AI analyzes historical data, it cannot predict future lottery numbers due to the inherent randomness of each draw [1]. Public Awareness and Caution - The Chinese Welfare Lottery encourages players to maintain a rational mindset and be aware of the psychological manipulation used by scammers [2]. - It highlights the importance of enhancing fraud awareness and the ability to identify various scams to protect personal finances [2]. Comparison with Other Lottery Organizations - In February, the China Sports Lottery also issued a statement debunking the notion that AI can predict winning numbers, reinforcing that both AI-generated and randomly selected numbers have the same probability of winning [2].