South Korean lottery sales drive as players seek COVID-19 distraction

The Korean Lottery Commission has confirmed that lottery ticket sales have risen to record levels as players turn to the lottery following the COVID-19 pandemic
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The Korean Lottery Commission has confirmed that lottery ticket sales have risen to record levels as players turn to the lottery following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Korea JoonGang Daily

Lottery ticket sales reached ₩2.9tn during H1 of FY2021 according to the Commission, which revealed the results on Monday. 

This result is a new Korean record and 12.6% higher than the same period in 2020.

Across the different lottery games, Lotto, the lump sum draw, sold ₩2.5tn in tickets, amounting to 86.5% of the total of all lottery ticket sales. 

The pension lottery draw, which is paid out in annuities, also saw a substantial increase in sales.

Sales of pension lottery tickets surged by 66.4% from H1 of FY2021 up to ₩142.2bn, the biggest year-on-year increase in sales since sales of the pension lottery went live in 2012.

The Commission attributes the success of the first half to an increase in jackpots, which is a key method to increase customer acquisition, as people look to earn big prizes. 

Another reason for the upwards trajectory of sales is the COVID-19 pandemic, which Korean officials say has impacted Korean’s habits. 

People are turning to luck to help them through the pandemic, the Korea JoonGang Daily report stated, as sales of all available tickets increased during the period.