BEIJING — China's lottery sales slumped to 1 million yuan (about $141,442) in February from 27.21 billion yuan in January, data from the Ministry of Finance showed.

The ministry attributes the plunge to the impact of COVID-19, which drastically reduced the opening hours of lottery outlets in February.

Lottery agencies at all levels should resume the work of lottery issuance and sales in an orderly manner to promote the healthy development of the sector, the ministry said.

Under China's lottery management rules, money from lottery ticket sales is used for administrative expenses, public welfare projects and prize money.