Vietnamese Spend Over $4 Billion Annually on Lottery Tickets, Contributing to Social Welfare

Vietnamese citizens are spending over $4 billion annually on lottery tickets, reflecting a growing trend in the country's economy. In 2025, lottery revenue reached VND177.2 trillion (approximately $6.8 billion), translating to an average spending of VND1.73 million ($66) per person among Vietnam's 102.3 million population. Geographically, the southern region accounted for a dominant 87.8% of the 2025 revenue, followed by the central region at 4.6% and the north at 2.2%. To manage market growth, regulators impose caps on ticket sales per draw. The lottery industry has contributed a substantial VND439 trillion ($16.7 billion) to the state budget over the past 13 years, with over VND57 trillion ($2.2 billion) in 2025 alone. By law, these funds are directed to local budgets to support healthcare, education, and social welfare initiatives. Vietnam hosts 63 state-run lottery companies, each affiliated with its respective provincial People's Committee. These operate within three distinct regional markets, while Vietlott, owned by the Ministry of Finance, offers nationwide sales. The product range includes traditional lottery tickets, lotto, instant scratch cards, and computerized number games. Authorities credit computerized lotteries with helping to curb "lo de," an illegal betting game tied to official lottery results, and other illicit gambling activities. The industry also provides employment for approximately 500,000 individuals from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds through its network of ticket agents, according to ministry figures.