TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Finance (MOF, 財政部) announced on Thursday (Sept. 26) that the Taiwan Lottery (台灣彩券) has generated over NT$600 billion in surpluses since its inception in 1999, funding social welfare initiatives and health insurance.
Chen Po-chen (陳柏誠), director-general of the National Treasury Administration (財政部國庫署), emphasized the lottery's purpose to enhance social welfare resources and promote employment among disadvantaged groups.
Chen highlighted that 50% of the lottery's public welfare surplus supports local government programs for children, women, older people, and people with disabilities and social assistance. Additionally, 45% funds the national pension, and 5% is allocated to national health insurance reserves.
Huang Chih-i (黃志宜), chairman of Taiwan Lottery, reported that as of Sept. 25, this year's public welfare lottery sales had reached NT$125.1 billion, marking a 4.6% year-over-year increase.
Huang projected that the total sales for 2024 could hit NT$148.8 billion, potentially setting a new annual sales record for the lottery.