BEIJING - China's lottery sales rose 13.1 percent year on year to 35.07 billion yuan ($5.32 billion) in August, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.

Sales of welfare lottery tickets increased 10 percent year on year to 17.47 billion yuan last month, while sports lottery sales went up 16.4 percent to 17.59 billion yuan, the ministry said.

Last month, 26 provinces and regions saw growth in lottery sales, driven by strong sales in Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Henan and Zhejiang, according to the ministry.

In the first eight months, lottery sales went up 6.3 percent to 273.85 billion yuan, while sales of welfare lottery tickets and sports lottery tickets increased 4.6 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively.

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