BEIJING - China's lottery sales rose 9.6 percent year on year to 38.25 billion yuan ($5.55 billion) in April, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Sales of welfare lottery tickets increased 4.3 percent year on year to 18.72 billion yuan last month, while sports lottery sales went up 15.2 percent to 19.52 billion yuan, the ministry said.

Last month, 25 provinces and regions saw growth in lottery sales, driven by strong sales in Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Hubei and Zhejiang, according to the ministry.

In the first four months, lottery sales went up 6.2 percent to 133.49 billion yuan, while sales of welfare lottery tickets increased 3.7 percent to 70.06 billion yuan.

Under lottery management rules, money from lottery ticket sales must cover administrative fees, public welfare projects and prize money.