**China's World Cup betting boom hits record $11.6B in a single match** • **Chinese bettors** shattered records with $11.6B wagered on a single World Cup match via official lottery channels • **Sports lottery operators** saw unprecedented demand, straining infrastructure across the country • **Government-run platforms** were the sole legal avenue, keeping billions out of grey-market channels • **The scale** puts China among the world's biggest sports betting markets despite having no team in the tournament • **Regulators** will be watching closely as figures this large invite fresh scrutiny on lottery expansion *Watch whether China's lottery authority moves to expand or tighten football betting access ahead of the next cycle.* The lineup's set. Drop in.