China sold lottery tickets worth 75 billion yuan in 2009, a quarter more than the previous year. A third of the revenue has been used in welfare facilities for the elderly, children and disabled.

Lottery enthusiasm was boosted when a player in central China's Henan Province won a jackpot of 359.9 million yuan in October, the biggest ever prize in the country.

Bao Xuequan, director of China Welfare Lottery Sales, said, "We adjusted our double color ball game at the beginning of last year, and increased the size of the jackpot. The prize pool can accumulate very fast, and has become attractive to players."

An official from the Ministry of Civil Affairs says 24 billion yuan had been raised from the lottery selling in 2009. The money was used for welfare facilities. But the money is far from enough.

Wang Zhengyao, Welfare Dept. Head, Ministry of Civil Affairs, said, "Our welfare system focuses on helping the elderly with their basic life necessities. We need huge investment in infrastructure and professional personnel. Currently we are still lagging behind the demand."

So when people buy lottery tickets, they are actually donating money for social welfare programs. And at the same time, they try their luck. Experts note that the lottery should not be considered gambling because the chance of winning is very low. But they also warn that it should not be considered as an investment either.